Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Urban Forestry Trees topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Email about Winchell roundabout raises tree-removal concern; tree committee to review
Summary
An emailed concern about a proposed Winchell neighborhood roundabout focused on cost and tree removal; commissioners said the project will be reviewed by the city tree committee and that the city generally plants two replacement trees for each one removed under current policy.
Commission members discussed an email from a resident opposing proposed changes to the intersection near Chevy Chase, Lorraine and Wait streets in the Winchell neighborhood, citing cost and the removal of trees.
Why it matters: The project is a city transportation proposal that will move through the tree committee before any approved tree removal can occur. Commissioners said residents concerned about specific trees will have further opportunities to comment at tree-committee review.
A commissioner summarized the email as opposing changes to the intersection on the grounds of cost and tree loss. Justin, a city staff member, said the city has a replacement policy that ordinarily plants two trees for every tree removed, explaining, "If 12 trees were cut down, 24 trees would be planted." Commissioners said the tree committee will review the proposal and that the committee's April meeting (expected the first Tuesday in April) may include a presentation by city staff on the project.
Several commissioners who had walked the site said it was difficult to tell from ribbons on trees which trees are slated for removal; one commissioner reported seeing many yellow ribbons and said the project's plan includes a recommended removal range of between five and 20 trees depending on the selected option. Commissioners agreed they lacked sufficient specific information to make a formal recommendation and encouraged residents to monitor the tree committee agenda and attend the committee meeting to provide input.
Ending: Staff and commissioners said they will seek more details from city project staff and that the ECC will respond to the resident who emailed once the tree committee has met and more information is available.
