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Kingston tree commission allows removal at 60 Gill Street pending neighbor consent and replacement
Summary
After reviewing an arborist report and hearing from the property owner, the Kingston Tree Commission voted unanimously to permit removal of a mature street tree at 60 Gill Street subject to a written neighbor consent, sidewalk repairs and a replacement tree.
The Kingston Tree Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to permit removal of a street tree at 60 Gill Street, but only after the property owner provides a written statement from the adjoining property owner consenting to removal and commits to replacement planting and required sidewalk repair.
The vote followed a presentation of an arborist report describing trunk decay, limb attachment weakness and sidewalk uplift. Brent (staff member) summarized the report’s findings and mitigation options, and said the commission had previously recommended pruning rather than removal. Property owner Mary Yomaz attended the meeting and told the commission she had arranged for Limerick Tree Services to produce a follow-up evaluation and had discussed the situation with her neighbor, who may be affected by roots and sidewalk damage.
The commission’s staff summary noted decay depths of roughly 9 to 12 inches but also said “there’s enough sound holding wood” remaining; the arborist nonetheless identified an “elevated risk of toppling” for large failures of the crown and recommended removal as a reasonable option given long‑term maintenance needs. Brent said structural soil or grade changes could cause water intrusion risk to the building if sidewalk grade were altered as part of mitigation.
Commission members argued the tree could be retained for a limited period with intensive maintenance, but that the level of ongoing pruning and liability weighed toward removal. Commissioner Abenda moved the permit approval conditioned on a neighbor letter and replacement planting; Commissioner Evan seconded. Planning Director Suzanne Cahill announced the vote: “All in favor? Okay. Unanimous.”
Under the commission’s standard conditions, removal approvals require stump grinding to six inches below grade, root removal where they impinge on the sidewalk, replacement planting or payment into the Memorial Tree Fund as appropriate, and a Department of Public Works (DPW) permit for sidewalk work.
The commission also asked for documentation that the adjacent property owner consents to the proposed removal because the tree’s root system and the sidewalk impacts cross the property line. The formal approval is conditional on receiving that written consent and on the owner meeting the standard removal requirements.
The commission said staff will follow up on planting options and DPW permitting; no timetable for the removal was given at the meeting.
