My husband, 83 and I, built a beautiful backyard with immense love, effort, and personal investment. Our backyard, adorned with storage sheds, artificial grass, brickwork, and concrete slabs, is our sanctuary. Over the past two decades, our well-maintained, meticulously cared-for backyard has seen numerous family gatherings and has been our solace, especially in these challenging COVID-19 times that saw us lose our business.

Recently, our city officials informed us that our storage sheds violate a local ordinance, which states that sheds should be at least 5ft away from the backyard walls. This ordinance, which we feel lacks understanding of the nuances of homeownership, threatens to dismantle the peace and joy our backyard brings us.

Our sheds have been a part of our home for the past 20 years. They aren't just structures; they hold memories and symbolize our hard work. Moreover, no product labels or guidelines mentioned the need for special permission to place these sheds on our property— a fact that many other homeowners might also be unaware of. To move or remove these sheds is not only financially burdensome for us, living on a fixed income, but emotionally distressing as it would mean uprooting a vital part of our home.

We are asking the city council to reconsider this ordinance, taking into account the years these structures have been in place and their role in the lives of homeowners like us. Let's call upon our city officials to demonstrate flexibility and understanding toward longtime homeowners who have lawfully and lovingly established their backyards. Please sign this petition and support our cause to keep our cherished backyard intact.