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Council hears concerns about tree code, appeals and homeowner impacts
Summary
Staff reviewed the city’s tree code amendments and members of the public raised concerns about denied private‑tree removal permits, sewer line intrusion, driveway damage and the appeals process; staff said the code emphasizes preservation of mature canopy, includes mitigation fees and provides an appeals path to the city manager.
City staff briefed the Milwaukee City Council on July 17 on the city’s residential and public tree code and received public comment and council questions about how the rules affect homeowners who face infrastructure damage and safety risks.
Katie Guevara, presenting the iterative tree-code work, told council the code treats trees as infrastructure and aims to preserve mature canopy, require mitigation when removals are approved and direct mitigation funds toward low‑canopy neighborhoods. The code, she said, establishes permit thresholds by tree size and activity, requires preservation plans for development, and offers a tiered fee schedule and…
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