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Planning board continues multiple shade‑tree hearings, requires replanting plans for future removals
Summary
The Lowell Planning Board continued public shade‑tree hearings on multiple streets to May 19, 2025, and voted that any future requests to remove public shade trees must include a replanting plan showing locations, caliper and timing; the board directed the city to return with replacement locations for the petitions on this agenda.
The Lowell Planning Board on Thursday continued several public shade‑tree hearings and voted that any future requests to remove public shade trees must be accompanied by a replanting plan that specifies location and caliper.
City engineer Moiz Veil presented a packet of proposed removals on Magnolia Street, Wedge Street and other locations, telling the board the root systems had lifted pavement and created trip hazards and pavement damage. Board members and residents pressed for clarity about replacement trees and enforcement of the city's tree ordinance.
Resident Steven Conlon said the ordinance explicitly prioritizes preservation: "It shall be the priority of the city to preserve and protect shade trees," and argued that the burden of proof should be on petitioners seeking removal. Board member Jerry and others said the ordinance requires replacement planting: trees larger than 24 caliper require two replacement trees; smaller trees require one for one. As a result of that discussion the board voted to require that future applicants, including city departments, bring a replanting plan at the time of filing that identifies replacement locations, caliper and timing.
Paul Saint Cyr, DPW commissioner, said the department can provide the requested replacement information and that staff would work to identify appropriate nearby planting locations or offer trees for planting on private property with residents' consent. Board members agreed to give the city time to prepare site‑specific replanting proposals.
After initial motions resulted in a denial for Magnolia Street petitions, the board reconsidered and then formally continued all public shade tree hearings listed on the agenda to May 19, 2025, so that the city could present a replanting plan for each petition. The chair announced the continuance motion passed with five votes in favor and none against.
The board also instructed staff to promulgate a clear rule requiring applicants to submit a replanting plan when requesting removal of public shade trees, and the board adopted that practice by vote.
No final removals were approved at the meeting; the petitions were continued to allow staff and the DPW to produce replacement plans and to give the board time to review compliance with the tree ordinance before any trees are removed.
