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Council approves limited tree removals in rights‑of‑way using tree‑mitigation funds, with conditions
Summary
Council approved removal of a dead live oak on Prior Street and conditionally agreed to remove one large live oak on Hale Avenue only if the property owner removes two trees closer to their building; council will use tree mitigation funds to replace removed trees.
The city authorized the removal and replacement of up to two live oaks in the public right‑of‑way using tree mitigation funds.
Staff presented two requests: a dead, fire‑damaged live oak on Prior Street requested by the adjacent property owner after a structure fire had damaged the tree, and a second large live oak on Hale Avenue where structural concerns were raised. The Hale Avenue property also contains two additional trees close to the building; staff said those work requests, because of diameter (>18 inches) and proximity to structures, would normally require property‑owner action and separate council approval.
Council approved a conditional motion: staff may remove the Hale Avenue tree only if the property owner seeks and obtains approval to remove the other two trees that sit closer than the council‑authorized tree; council then separately approved removing the dead tree on Prior Street and agreed to replace trees from the tree mitigation fund. Bids for the removals were under the $20,000 procurement threshold and staff said Duke Energy coordination would be required because distribution lines run near the trees.
Implementation: Public Works will finalize contractor scheduling, coordinate with Duke Energy for safe removal, and use the tree mitigation fund to plant replacement live oaks (caliper and species chosen by the city).
