Residents urge Sammamish to act after fiber installation damages trees, lawns

Multiple residents raised concerns during public comment at the Jan. 14 Sammamish City Council study session about recent fiber‑optic installation work by Ziply in Sammamish neighborhoods.

What residents said: Speakers described excavation that cut tree roots, disrupted irrigation lines, created unmarked holes and damaged plantings and lawns. They said notices were sometimes not provided before work began and that restoration obligations are not producing meaningful recovery for older trees and longstanding plantings.

Why this matters: Residents asked the council and city staff how right‑of‑way work is permitted, what restoration standards apply, and whether the city could exert more oversight to avoid irreversible damage to mature trees and yard landscapes. Several speakers noted damaged plantings in Timberline and other neighborhoods and said they had not been contacted by the utility’s management after raising concerns.

Council/staff response: Council members acknowledged the complaints and confirmed staff had received emails and written complaints; staff indicated right‑of‑way rules and restoration obligations apply and that staff would follow up to confirm whether the contractor met permit conditions and to verify notifications were made. Residents asked for quicker staff intervention and clearer restoration standards for mature tree impacts.

Next steps: City staff will review permit conditions and correspondence from Ziply and residents, confirm whether notification and restoration requirements were met, and report back to council and affected residents. Residents were advised to document damage and share photos and correspondence with the city to support investigations.

Ending: Speakers emphasized that restoration is not a substitute for avoiding damage in the first place and urged the city to take a preventive approach when approving and overseeing right‑of‑way work.