Conservation commission continues enforcement order with Wat Khmer; asks for more native, floodplain-appropriate trees

The Lowell Conservation Commission continued an enforcement order Oct. 8 involving tree removal at the Wat Khmer and Khmer American Cultural Center, 48 Townsend Avenue, and directed the organization to submit a revised planting plan that includes more native, floodplain-appropriate species.

Som Khan, president of the Wat Khmer and Khmer American Cultural Center, told the commission the group proposed planting 23 new trees on the temple grounds. "We at Wat Khmer and Khmer American Cultural Center respectfully proposed to the planting of 23 new tree within the temple Ground," Khan said. He also said the group previously planted 39 emerald green trees along Townsend Avenue between Fort Yates and 66 Townsend Avenue and that the new plan would place seven pink dogwoods at the rear of the property and 14 more in a wooded area on the lot.

Commissioners raised concerns that dogwoods may not be appropriate for a floodplain. One commissioner cautioned that, according to the species information in the packet, dogwoods prefer moderate moisture and can be susceptible to root rot in saturated soils, and recommended species known to thrive in riparian, floodplain conditions — for example, silver maple, sycamore, river birch, swamp white oak, black willow and eastern cottonwood. Commissioners emphasized the goal of replacing the lost water-uptake capacity and canopy with species that will survive in the site’s wet conditions.

Staff and commissioners proposed a compromise: retain the proposed lower-canopy dogwoods in visible locations while substituting taller, native riparian trees in parts of the planting scheme. A commissioner described a condition that would require three of the seven rear-row trees and six of the 14 back-row trees to be chosen from a staff-provided list of native, floodplain-appropriate species. Commissioners also discussed a multi-year performance check (a suggested three-year life check) so the city can require replacement if trees fail.

The commission did not rescind the enforcement order at the meeting. Instead, a commissioner moved to continue the matter to the Nov. 12 meeting to allow the temple to review a staff-provided species list and provide a revised planting layout; another commissioner seconded the motion. The commission approved the continuation by voice vote. Commissioners and staff noted there is no automatic penalty if the plantings take longer; the organization may request another continuance if needed.

The commission recorded that 22 trees had been removed earlier on site; that figure provided the baseline for replacement discussions. The commission and the temple will return with a revised plan for further review on Nov. 12.