Resident urges preservation after trees cleared near Maslin Road and Route 619; city staff cites planning and landscape code

At the April 8 Green City Council meeting, resident Sandy Item appealed to council members to encourage developers to preserve trees and habitat at the corner of Maslin Road and State Route 619 after she observed a large area recently cleared of trees.

Sandy Item gave her name and address and described visiting Green frequently for shopping and recreation. She said trees planted in recent years at Central Park and along Maslin Road provide habitat and environmental benefits and asked council and future developers to consider building among trees where possible. "I just want as many [trees] to possibly stay as there can be," Item told council.

A city staff member responded that developers typically engage the planning department and that the city has landscape and design-review requirements. The staff member said the city—s code requires revegetation for new developments, including trees along property boundaries and parking lots, and noted it was unusual that grading occurred without a submitted project. The staff member advised the public to monitor planning department agendas and attend the design review board and planning and zoning commission meetings, which are posted on the city website.

Item also said she had spoken with Mayor Yerigan, who told her developers control private-property decisions; she urged the city to encourage developers to leave tree stands where feasible. The staff member acknowledged property owners do retain control within the limits of local code but said landscape requirements would apply when a project is submitted for review.

Council did not take formal action on the comment; council members encouraged public participation in the planning-review process and reminded residents that agendas and meeting notices are available on the city website.