Lowell council to create citizen tree committee after neighborhood concerns over Van Greenby removals

The Lowell City Council approved a motion on June 10, 2025, to study and create a citizen tree committee and to pursue a street‑tree ordinance, after public comment warned that planned removals on Van Greenby Road threatened neighborhood canopy.

William Nichols, a neighborhood resident, told the council he learned of a possible removal of “8 to 10 trees” on Van Greenby Road only after attending a Highlands neighborhood meeting. Nichols said he walks the street often and opposed wholesale removal, urging a citizen review process that would inspect trees, consider alternatives and weigh neighborhood context.

City Manager (name not specified) told the council the administration had obtained a grant from the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and that the last thing the city wants is to clear‑cut streets: the grant will support developing an ordinance and a tree‑committee process. The manager said staff would involve neighborhood residents and that the city would not proceed with mass removals without additional review.

Councilors emphasized retention of urban canopy where possible, and engineering solutions for sidewalks and ADA issues. Councilor Gaethje referenced techniques to protect root zones and grade adjustments used in other communities. The manager indicated the city would add volunteers’ names to the planning process and suggested the resident volunteer as a potential committee member.

The council approved the motion to create a citizen tree committee and to move forward with ordinance development and community outreach.