Council moves to address trees on berm near high school after sightline concerns

Streator City Council discussed a row of trees planted on the berm near Monroe Street by the high school that residents and council members say block sightlines for drivers and create safety concerns for school buses and larger vehicles.

Council members said the trees had been planted with permission from a former public-works director, but members described the cumulative effect as a visual barrier when vehicles try to see cross traffic. One council member said large vehicles often must pull into the intersection to gain sight, and another noted the trees reduce visibility for motorists and school buses.

Council discussion recorded the following options: require removal where safety dictates and have the city absorb the removal cost; transplant smaller trees to other city locations or parks; and update the municipal ordinance to tighten planting setbacks at corners (proposed change: increase corner clearance from 20 feet to 25 or 30 feet was discussed). The council asked staff to draft ordinance revisions and to pursue removal or relocation where the council finds a safety hazard.

Why it matters: Sightline obstructions at intersections near a high school pose a potential safety hazard for children and large vehicles; the council framed action as a public-safety responsibility even though the initial planting had received city permission.

Next steps recorded: staff to bring proposed ordinance changes back to council for consideration and public-works to review options for transplanting or removing the trees; where the council determines removal is necessary, members discussed absorbing costs rather than requiring the property owner to pay.