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Board upholds DPW denial of tree removal at 3363 Washington Street
Summary
The Board of Appeals upheld the Department of Public Works’ denial of a permit to remove and replace one or two trees at 3363 Washington Street after DPW urged basin expansion, offered on‑site reevaluation and recommended preservation of the healthier tree; the board’s attempt to overturn the denial failed on a 2‑2 vote.
The Board of Appeals on July 21 refused to overturn the Department of Public Works, Bureau of Urban Forestry (BUF) decision denying the removal and replacement of one or two trees at 3363 Washington Street. The motion to overturn with conditions (requiring two 36‑inch box replacement trees) was tied 2‑2 and the board therefore left the departmental decision in place.
Carla Short, representing DPW’s Bureau of Urban Forestry, described the department’s inspection and said one tree showed significant decline while the other was healthy but causing sidewalk damage. BUF staff recommended expanding the tree basin and attempting sidewalk repair before removal; the bureau offered to reexamine the site after the homeowner lifts the sidewalk.
Appellant Sarah Duryea said she has owned the house since 1984 and described repeated sidewalk repairs and contractor refusals to undertake the current repair without risking additional damage. She told the board she is willing to replace trees if removal is permitted but raised concerns about the homeowner’s practical ability to find contractors and the cost.
Commissioners debated homeowner burden, the arborist’s assessment and the public‑benefit of preserving established street trees. The president’s motion to grant removal with two 36‑inch box replacement trees failed for lack of the four votes required to overturn a departmental action; the denial therefore stands. The board advised the appellant that she may follow DPW’s process to lift the sidewalk and request a reinspection.
