Cedar Street rebuild will remove dozens of right-of-way trees; commission reviews protection and replacement

Sandpoint city staff presented 75% design plans for a Cedar Street reconstruction between Lincoln and Division and discussed tree impacts Jan. 23. Staff counted roughly 32 trees currently identified for removal in the design set, but clarified many are self‑seeded cottonwoods and other species staff would not prioritize for preservation.

Eric Bush, the city forester and project liaison, described the project as a complete‑street rebuild that will replace and add utilities, install stormwater treatment in planting strips and add sidewalks and bike lanes. "This project is intending to install a complete street on this stretch of Cedar from Lincoln to Division," Bush said. He described the engineering tradeoffs and noted the design is at 75% so there is still an opportunity to comment and alter details before final construction documents.

Bush walked commissioners through the plans and called out areas of particular concern. He said some trees are already marked "P" (protect and maintain in place) in the drawings; others are marked for removal ("R"). He counted about 32 trees slated for removal in the corridor but said the number falls as species and context are considered: "If we're not concerned about Cottonwoods... now we're down to 20 trees," he said, after explaining several cottonwoods were self‑established and not high preservation priority.

Commissioners and staff discussed several mitigation options: moving the sidewalk edge closer to private property where landowners might permit it, planting replacement trees on a different schedule tied to phasing of construction, and offering to plant replacement trees in locations that reduce conflicts with utilities and sightlines. Bush said the project budget currently includes funds to replant trees where feasible; he advised planting would follow the project phasing so replacements occur after each construction phase.

The commission examined specific problem locations. Bush flagged a large silver maple with significant trunk decay near the middle of the project and said it merits careful arboricultural evaluation. He also pointed to a lodgepole pine at a corner where sightlines are obstructed, noting public safety concerns could justify removal even for otherwise healthy specimens. "If you're driving and there is a mature evergreen on the street corner that obstructs your vision, if you're at stop sign, that's a problem," he said.

Bush noted the project will use depressed planting strips and low‑maintenance seed mixes to manage stormwater and provide new tree points. He said many final species choices depend on whether the new tree wells will be seasonally inundated; species suitable for wet conditions will be prioritized where the stormwater facility is present.

Next steps: The design is not final; commissioners may provide additional comments and staff said stakes or flagging could be used before construction to show actual right‑of‑way limits on site. Construction was described as likely to begin later in the summer; staff noted tree protection notes will be included in contracts and that staff will supervise elements that affect trees.

Ending: Staff emphasized a willingness to work with property owners on placement and replacement options and to pursue protective measures for trees marked "P". No formal vote on project design occurred at the meeting.