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Commissioner Chase Youngdahl urges largest planting strips, raises SilvaCells option for Sandpoint Phase 3 downtown design
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Summary
At the April 23 Sandpoint Urban Forestry Commission meeting, Commissioner Chase Youngdahl urged the Phase 3 downtown streetscape design prioritize the widest planting strips (the largest concept was a 6-foot strip) and flagged SilvaCells as a higher-cost option to increase soil volume for long-term tree health.
Commissioner Chase Youngdahl told the commission the Phase 3 technical advisory group (TAG) kickoff focused on high-level concepts for First Avenue and the stretch from Church to Lake (possibly extending to Superior) and that each schematic trades planting area against vehicle lanes, parking and bicycle lanes. "On behalf of Urban Forestry's interests, I advocated for the plan with the maximum amount of planting space, which I believe was a 6 foot strip," Youngdahl said.
City staff and consultants presented several options in 1-foot increments between a minimum 3-foot and a maximum 6-foot planting strip. Youngdahl said the TAG and the subsequent public open-house workshop were used to filter concepts before public outreach, and that the next TAG meeting will report back on community input.
Eric Bush, the city staff liaison and project manager for the streetscape, said staff and the design team (Walt Comer for engineering and GGLO for landscape architecture) "much prefer and want SilvaCells included as part of the ultimate design," while acknowledging cost estimates are not yet available. SilvaCells — a suspended pavement system that increases subsurface soil volume — was discussed as a way to give trees room to establish where surface area is limited; Youngdahl cited a cursory cost range of $13 to $17 per cubic foot and noted it could add a significant cost to the project.
Commissioners and staff also discussed section-by-section constraints: right-of-way widths vary (about 80 feet north of Pine, 60 feet south), which will shape the feasible amount of planting space in each block. Staff emphasized the Phase 3 design is at roughly 30% development; the design and cost estimate will be presented to city council when 30% materials are ready.
The commission discussed sending Commissioner Youngdahl as its representative to TAG meetings to press for larger tree wells and species selection; staff said TAG agendas are set by the project team but agreed to prioritize tree-supporting solutions where possible. Staff also noted that project funding authorities sunset under state statute in 2029, a timeline the TAG is using to help guide grant and funding strategy.
Next steps: TAG will brief commissioners on community input and refined concepts at the next meeting, staff will pursue cost estimates (including a potential SilvaCells mix versus larger planting pits), and the 30% design will be presented to council with cost implications.
