The extended driveway was part of the “charm” that convinced Amuna Baraka-Clarke and her family to purchase their Crown Victoria Drive home in the first place.

Now, just six months after they moved to north Brampton, city bylaw officials have handed Baraka-Clarke an ultimatum to tear out their stamped concrete walkway by Sept. 26 or face paying a fine of up to $25,000.

“This situation is causing us a great deal of anxiety,” said Baraka-Clarke, who received a notice from bylaw officials late last month advising that her driveway is in excess of the 6.71 metres allowed under the zoning bylaw. According to the Aug. 23 notice, the driveway has been widened into the required minimum 0.6 metres landscaping adjacent to the interior side lot line, which is not permitted.

Baraka-Clarke moved to Crown Victoria Drive, in the area of Sandalwood Parkway and Creditview Road, with her elderly parents and two daughters in February. Her mother Cleo, 78, is hearing impaired and suffers from dementia. Her father, Noel Clarke, is 83 and said the walkway provides greater accessibility to the home.

“We just bought the house. These problems were never revealed to us,” said Noel Clarke. “A little guy like me, I worked for 40 odd years scrapping every penny. I’m retired and they (the city) threaten me with a letter that I will have to pay $25,000. Where am I going to get that?”

Extended by the previous homeowners, Baraka-Clarke said she had no idea the driveway width was an issue – until now.

“We bought the home because this (the widened driveway) was one of the features that was really beautiful. At this point, we’re concerned about how our property would look like, and what the cost will be, to take it (the pavement) out,” said Baraka-Clarke, noting that she has had a difficult time connecting with bylaw officials.

Area city councillor Doug Whillans said he would look into the matter.

Baraka-Clarke said her family is looking for options, preferably an exemption to the rule.

According to the bylaw, there must be two feet of grass on either side of a driveway that is 22 feet wide. The family can apply to widen the driveway.