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Homewood City committee delays decision on trees planted in right of way at 214 Edgewood Boulevard
Summary
The Homewood City Public Works Committee on May 5 carried over a request for retroactive approval to leave several newly planted trees in the right of way at 214 Edgewood Boulevard after committee members raised concerns about ordinance violations, construction safeguards and long-term sidewalk damage.
The Homewood City Public Works Committee on May 5 carried over consideration of a request to allow newly planted trees to remain in the right of way at 214 Edgewood Boulevard.
The item (3700425) was brought to the committee by Kale Smith, who said the trees were installed after a building inspector flagged them and that the project had been permitted under an older set of rules that did not require a landscape plan. "We do need retroactive approval to leave them. And if it's not approved, then we have to cut them down because they are all large caliber trees," Smith said.
Committee members questioned why the trees were placed in the right of way, noted missing construction safeguards and raised long-term concerns about sidewalks and utilities. A councilor said they were "having a hard time personally even considering it," citing multiple apparent violations including trees touching one another and an absence of a silt fence during construction.
Committee members and staff described the plantings as several large-caliper trees (two magnolias at about 10-inch and 12-inch caliper were cited) and a set of hollies and other cultivars chosen to remain relatively narrow. Staff said the trees were set after being offloaded by crane and that some were placed in holes dug on site because trucks and equipment had already left. The applicant said the plantings were intended to screen new pool equipment and to avoid conflicts with power lines.
Members also noted the site has two prior variances related to a wall and a fence along Roseland, and that some project responsibilities had been transferred between firms during permitting. Several committee members requested an on-site visit before taking action; one member called the installation "different than all the others we've ever considered." Another expressed concern that roots would eventually damage sidewalks and curbs.
A motion to approve the request was made but later rescinded; without objection, the committee carried the item over to give members time to view the site. Committee members said the matter will return to committee on May 19 and will also appear before the full council at its next meeting cycle.
No retroactive approval was granted at the May 5 meeting.
