Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Bexley tree commission approves landscaping plan for East Broad Street fence, requires minimum 12 arborvitae
Loading...
Summary
The Bexley Tree Commission unanimously approved a landscaping plan for 2551 E. Broad St., requiring a minimum of 12 emerald green arborvitae to screen a recently installed 6-foot fence and removing proposed ornamental grasses. The applicant agreed to the change after city staff recommended tighter spacing for effective screening.
At its meeting, the Bexley Tree Commission approved the landscaping plan for 2551 East Broad Street (application TPGC25-1), requiring a minimum of 12 emerald green arborvitae to screen a newly installed 6-foot fence and removing the proposed ornamental grasses. The applicant, Brian Eckert, agreed to the modification at the hearing.
City landscape reviewer Walter Raines told the commission the proposed five arborvitae would not form an effective green screen across the roughly 50-foot frontage. "Emerald green arborvitae are gonna do great in a spot like that," he said, but added the applicant would need many more specimens than five to avoid persistent gaps and to achieve the screening the ordinance intends. Raines recommended tighter spacing (generally 3-foot centers) and suggested a minimum of 12 specimens for the submitted layout; he also cautioned that the ornamental grasses could look "messy" near the sidewalk and might duplicate the screening function of the trees.
The property owner, Brian Eckert, told the commission he would increase the planting to 12 arborvitae and replace the taller ornamental grasses with lower-profile perennials such as hostas. "I'll do 12," Eckert said when asked to confirm the change. Commissioners discussed compatibility with potential street trees on the lawn strip and agreed arborvitae and street trees could coexist once street trees mature.
Commissioner Susan Quintenz moved to approve the plan with the requirement of a minimum of 12 emerald green arborvitae (targeting 5'6 feet height at installation) and removal of the ornamental grasses; Mary McMunn seconded. The chair recorded that all members present voted in favor and the motion passed.
The commission's action approves the application conditional on the planting changes; the applicant was invited to consult further with Walter on spacing and species details. The commission noted that larger design-guideline work for fence screening could provide clearer expectations to homeowners and designers in the future.
What happens next: The owner will implement the approved plan with the specified minimum planting; staff recommended confirming spacing to meet right-of-way constraints and to avoid planting beneath tree canopies.
