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Board continues Cortland tree‑removal appeal to allow parties to negotiate replacement plan
Summary
The Board of Appeals continued an appeal over removal of two privately maintained street trees at 408 Cortland Avenue to April 11 after Public Works and the appellant disagreed about replacement species and spacing.
The board continued an appeal about the removal of two street trees at 408 Cortland Avenue after an extended hearing in which the appellant and the Department of Public Works (Bureau of Urban Forestry) offered competing plans for replacement.
Appellant‑retained arborist Roy Leggett described two diseased trees heavily infested with scale and recommended planting two Columbia‑type Platanus trees with a pruning and maintenance plan. Chris Buck, urban forester for Public Works, said the 9‑foot sidewalk, nearby streetlight and bay windows limit planting options. Buck said Platanus at maturity requires 21–35 feet spacing and that two large stature trees 12 feet on center would be too close; he proposed allowing one large Columbia specimen or two medium‑stature trees vetted from Public Works’ recommended list.
Commissioners and the parties discussed maintenance responsibilities, possible deed‑recorded pruning agreements and pruning cycles managed by Public Works. Several commissioners encouraged further negotiations rather than a unilateral board order. The permit holder and appellant agreed to continue settlement talks; the board voted to continue the matter to April 11 to allow the parties time to reach an agreement.
No final replacement species or planting plan was adopted at the hearing; the continuance gives both sides an opportunity to agree on species, spacing, maintenance responsibilities and any deed‑restricted maintenance obligations.
