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Board approves tree-removal settlement, requires replacements and donations
Summary
The Board of Appeals overturned DPW's denial for a tree-removal permit at 291 Page Street, approving a settlement that allows removal in exchange for one 36-inch-box replacement tree at the site and donation of two 36-inch-box trees to the city's Adopt-a-Tree program; the species will be chosen by the Bureau of Urban Forestry.
The Board of Appeals voted 4–0 on Jan. 14, 2009 to overturn the Department of Public Works’ denial of a tree-removal permit for a property at 291 Page Street and to grant the permit under settlement conditions that include planting a 36-inch-box replacement tree on the property and donating two 36-inch-box trees to the DPW Adopt-a-Tree program.
Carla Short, urban forester for the Department of Public Works’ Bureau of Urban Forestry, told the board that although the department had originally upheld the denial, additional information — including a proposal from the property owner to plant a large replacement and donate two trees to the city — led the department to support the settlement. Short said she did not oppose the rehearing request and that the department and owner had worked toward a resolution.
Jace Levinson, an architect representing appellant Eric Grossman, said Grossman was pleased to donate three trees to the city and to plant a new tree at his property. "He gets to donate trees to the city," Levinson said, describing the settlement as a favorable resolution.
The board’s motion set the decision aside, overruled the department’s denial, and granted the permit with the conditions described: A replacement tree of 36-inch-box size at the subject property and two 36-inch-box trees donated to DPWBUF, with all species determined by the bureau. The vote was unanimous (4–0); Vice President Fung was absent.
The board recorded the settlement and found that the parties had come to agreement; the permit will issue subject to the stated planting and donation conditions.
