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Newport Tree Board approves removal of street trees at redevelopment site with one-for-one replacement
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Summary
The Newport Tree Board approved a request by 400 Monmouth LLC (case NTB-26-3) to remove multiple trees at a redevelopment site identified as 402 Monmouth Street, requiring one-for-one replacement and city approval of replacement species; the vote was unanimous.
The Newport Tree Board approved a developer request to remove multiple street trees at a downtown redevelopment site during its April 9, 2026 meeting.
James Parsons, an attorney with the Cincinnati firm Kete Muthee Kleekamp, told the board he represented 400 Monmouth LLC and said the project is part of the broader "World Peace Block" redevelopment that includes a public parking structure and a hotel under construction. "We are simply here to request their approval of the removal of the existing trees for the redevelopment of that particular project," Parsons said, adding the sidewalks around the project will be removed and replaced as part of the work and that planting plans will be coordinated with the city.
Board members pressed for details about replacement plantings. A board member asked, "How many trees will be replaced and what are the species?" Parsons said a final planting plan had not yet been prepared and that the city would work with the applicant to determine specifics. The city arborist stated the city will require at least a one-for-one replacement and confirmed that proposed replacement species would not be selected from the city's prohibited or invasive-species list. "Whenever we go to review that there will be at least 1 for 1 replacement and none of the species chosen will be on that...diversity or invasive species prohibited list," the arborist said.
A board member moved to approve case NTB-26-3, finding the proposed removal conforms with the intent of the regulations, will not harm public safety or neighborhood character, and attaching two conditions: one-for-one replacement and that replacement trees receive city approval. The motion was seconded and the board approved it by roll call (unanimous). The chair announced the motion approved.
The meeting opened with routine business: the board elected a vice chair earlier in the session and approved the previous meeting's minutes. With no further business, members moved to adjourn.
Notes on the record: the hearing repeatedly identified the project address as 402 Monmouth Street; one line of the transcript also refers to "402 Grama Street," a discrepancy that appeared in the meeting record and may be a transcription error. The applicant and the city indicated that the final planting plan — including the number and species of replacement trees — will be prepared and approved by city staff before installation.
