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Zoning board approves removal of two dead trees from Nashua Cove wetland buffer at 14 Tampa Street
Summary
The Nashua Zoning Board of Adjustment granted a special exception allowing homeowners at 14 Tampa Street to remove two dead or diseased trees from the 75-foot prime wetland buffer of Nashua Cove, with Conservation Commission conditions to retain wildlife habitat features.
The Nashua Zoning Board of Adjustment on June 10 approved a special exception allowing homeowners Lisa Tcherkowski and Seth Mandel of 14 Tampa Street to remove two dead or diseased trees from the 75-foot prime wetland buffer of the Nashua Cove.
The board granted relief from Land Use Code Section 190-112 after applicants said an arborist had deemed the trees dead and they were concerned the trees could fall onto the house or the riverbank. The Conservation Commission recommended leaving a 12-foot stump with connecting branches or a vertical slice so the cut trees can provide habitat as they decompose; the applicants agreed to that stipulation.
Applicant Lisa Tcherkowski told the board she is an avid bird watcher and that the decision was not taken lightly, but that “this tree could fall on our house,” and that chipmunks and visible bark loss indicated the trees are failing. The Conservation Commission’s condition—to leave a reduced stump for wildlife value—was discussed during the hearing and incorporated into the record.
Board member Robert Shaw moved to approve the special exception, noting the criteria in the code had been met and that the Conservation Commission conditions would mitigate ecological impacts; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously. The board secretary reminded the applicants there is a 30-day appeal period before the decision becomes final.
The approval allows the applicants to proceed subject to the Conservation Commission stipulations and the 30-day appeal window.
