After protected beech tree removed during construction, Delafield schedules public hearing on CU amendment and mitigation

The Delafield Plan Commission on Oct. 29 agreed to schedule a public hearing after staff reported that a beech tree identified for preservation in the conditional‑use approval for a six‑unit condominium on Wall Street was removed during construction.

Staff recounted that the conditional use required an arborist assessment and that the project’s arborist report recommended protective measures, including fence installation at the tree’s drip line, on‑site arborist supervision, and pre‑construction pruning (crown reduction) to enable construction clearance. The city said none of those protective steps were implemented and the tree was taken down during site work. City administration requested an appraisal from a qualified tree‑value service (Wachtell); staff received an estimate in the $12,000–$13,000 range for the lost beech.

Given the violation of a CU condition, staff recommended and common council referred the matter to Plan Commission for an amendment process rather than immediate termination; the commission scheduled a public hearing to consider an amendment to the conditional use and proposed remedies, which could include tree replacement, additional plantings on‑site, a mitigation payment based on tree value, or other conditions the commission deems appropriate. Commissioners emphasized the need for more rigorous on‑site oversight on significant projects to prevent similar oversights.

Provenance: Staff presentation and council referral; appraisal and arborist report were referenced in the staff packet.