The Narberth Shade Tree Commission recommended approval of subdivision and land‑development plans for 202 Dudley Avenue on the condition that the proposed arborvitae planting be replaced with native tree species from the borough’s adopted plant list.

An engineer for the applicant described the project as the subdivision of one half of a twin house lot to create a new single‑family home in the rear of the parcel; the plan requires demolition of a detached garage, a swimming pool and decking. The engineer identified trees slated for removal — a 15‑inch dogwood, a 9‑inch cherry, a 12‑inch triple maple (which the applicant now intends to retain), an 8‑inch pine and a 7‑inch pine — and described proposed replacement plantings, including an elm along the street and a mix of Sweetbay magnolia and arborvitae in the rear buffer. The engineer said the project shows a replacement caliper requirement of 27 inches, satisfied by 11 two‑and‑a‑half‑inch caliper trees or evergreen equivalents.

The applicant’s team told the commission the project has received a recommendation from the Planning Commission and a special exception from the Zoning Hearing Board for a detached rear garage/parking configuration; borough council granted approval subject to revisions addressing the borough engineer, zoning officer and Montgomery County Planning Commission review letters, and to returning to the Shade Tree Commission. The applicant requested, and was granted earlier, waivers related to preliminary vs. final plan submission and a minimum driveway width.

Commission members pressed on species selection and the use of arborvitae. One member summarized the commission recommendation before the vote: “I’ll recommend that the Shade Tree Commission approve the plans with the condition that the arborvitae are removed from the plant list and replaced with native species from the borough’s improved plant list.” Commissioners voted to approve the recommendation by voice vote.

Commissioners asked borough staff to ensure the applicant receives the borough’s adopted tree species list (the commission referenced a list adopted 03/21/2024) and requested the borough landscape architect review species and caliper crediting (commissioners noted that screening evergreens often do not count toward caliper replacement requirements). The applicant agreed to add tree‑protection fencing around the front maple and to revise plans to address the borough engineer’s comments.

The commission’s conditional recommendation will be forwarded to borough staff as part of the plan‑approval sequence; the borough engineer, zoning officer and landscape architect will confirm ordinance compliance before final plan signatures and recording.