Public Works Committee OKs removal of junipers in right of way at 1 West Lakeshore Drive

The Public Works Committee on Sept. 8 authorized the removal of overgrown junipers and pruning of a magnolia in the right of way at 1 West Lakeshore Drive, subject to a city-issued tree permit and an indemnification agreement. The committee approved the request by a 4-0 vote. Resident Gail Smith and resident Perry Hallgren brought the request to the committee.

The request, identified on the agenda as item 22-0825, asked permission for private contractors, at the applicants’ expense, to remove juniper shrubs that committee members said had become dense and concealed a homeless encampment. The committee’s action allows removal as shown on the map labeled “Exhibit 1,” requires a tree permit issued by the city, and requires the applicants to sign an indemnification agreement before work begins.

Why it matters: committee members said the dense plantings had created visibility and maintenance issues and were being used as a sheltering location. Allowing removal in the right of way requires city oversight through the tree-permit process and a formal indemnification so the city is not liable for private work in public right of way.

During discussion, residents and council members clarified the scope of the work. Resident Perry Hallgren described the specific planting area and requested that the junipers be removed and the magnolia be retained and limbed up. Councilor Sims asked how far the removal would extend; members agreed to allow removal up to the nearby bridge referenced in the discussion. Committee members and the applicants agreed that cutting back typical junipers tends to leave them looking unsightly and that full removal and replanting would be preferable in this case.

The motion was made to approve the removal and pruning with the required indemnification; Councilor Sims moved the motion and Councilor Nelms seconded. The committee chair called the vote, and members voted unanimously in favor. The committee directed staff to ensure the applicants obtain the city tree permit and execute the indemnification agreement before any work begins.

The committee did not adopt any additional maintenance plan or city-funded work; applicants indicated they would pay for the removal. No ordinance or code section was cited during the discussion beyond the requirement for a city-issued tree permit and the indemnification agreement. The item was handled during the new-business portion of the Sept. 8 meeting.