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Here's why the Welcome to Ladner sign is down

A back-and-forth game of political red tape appears to have come to an end for a Ladner resident.
hedge
The City of Delta will start some much needed tree removal and hedge replacement work next week on an area along Ladner Trunk Road close to 48A Ave., which has been a long-standing issue for an area resident.

A back-and-forth game of political red tape appears to have come to an end for a Ladner resident.

Tim Armstrong, who owns a home on 48A Avenue, has been dealing with provincial and civic authorities for years trying to determine who will maintain a large, overgrown hedge that now has some evergreens that are dying.

Last year Armstrong approached the Optimist with his story and his frustration with dealing with the ‘political red tape.’

Armstrong said he recently had a meeting with Delta mayor George Harvie and members of Delta staff, calling the meeting ‘productive.’

“They will be taking down the four Poplar trees along with the hedge that is to the west of the path (next to the Welcome to Ladner sign),” said Armstrong. “The plan is to replace that hedge with a new hedge, which will be further away from the fence, so the city will be able to maintain all sides of the tree. I am happy that is going to take place.”

He said at the meeting Harvie asked his team to price out a noise abatement wall and was not sure yet if that will be an alternative to the existing trees. 

“There will be further discussion with the mayor and team to discuss options going forward on the hedge that is east of the path,” noted Armstrong. “I was very happy that George Harvie was open to see a resolve.”

Armstrong said he will also be pushing for all the trees to be removed and replaced so they are away from the back fence line of the property so the city can properly maintain the hedge on both sides and that there will be a consistent look with the planned hedge replacement on the west side of the path.

“There is some residents that have flooding issues who live behind the ‘hill.’ I am hoping that the city will look into proper drainage of area,” he said.

Work on tree removal is set for Jan. 21 according to a post on the City of Delta’s Facebook page, who also noted that the Welcome to Ladner sign will be temporarily removed as crews prepare to work in the area. Delta said the sign will be reinstated upon completion of the work.

The Optimist has reached out to the City of Delta for further comment on the project.