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Bexley Tree Commission approves multiple landscape plans, including Bexley Square pocket park, with conditions
Summary
At its May 20 meeting the commission approved several landscape applications — including a privet-to-arborvitae screening, Ashbourne right‑of‑way plantings, a fence‑variance screening on East Broad and a pocket park at Bexley Square — each with conditions for tree protection, irrigation and planting per city guidelines.
The Bexley Tree & Public Garden Commission approved multiple landscape applications during its May 20 meeting, adopting staff findings and attaching conditions intended to protect city trees and ensure plant survivability.
Privet replacement at South Commonwealth and Parkview: The commission initially made a motion to approve the applicant’s plan to replace a privet hedge with wintergreen arborvitae but that motion failed because it omitted required city planting and tree‑protection conditions. Staff (Matt Klingler) then read a revised motion that accepted the plan and explicitly required planting per the city’s planting and maintenance guidelines and protection of city trees; that motion passed.
250 Ashbourne (right‑of‑way planting): The commission approved a planting plan to replace invasive honeysuckle and burning bush with arborvitae, hydrangeas and liriope in a 14‑foot easement, conditioning the approval on tree protection measures, planting to city standards and on the passage of Ordinance 26‑8 by city council to permit shrubs in the right of way.
2529 East Broad (fence variance and screening): The owner asked the commission to reapprove a previously permitted fence and associated screening after the original permit expired. Staff reported some plantings were already installed and raised concerns about species choice and spacing (recommendation: 6 ft centers for Green Giant replacements; 4 ft centers recommended for inkberry). The commission approved the plan with conditions including irrigation operability and the same council ordinance contingency for right‑of‑way shrubs.
2680 East Broad (First Financial Bank): The commission approved a commercial landscape renovation with conditions including substitution of Japanese holly (Ilex crinata) where staff judged it unsuitable, replacing a limestone aggregate call‑out with river rock, installing and maintaining an operable irrigation system for the life of the plants, and standard tree‑protection measures.
2242 East Main (Bexley Square pocket park): The commission approved the pocket‑park plan, a roughly 4,385‑square‑foot triangular site with a bluestone oval patio, dense plantings and seating, with two conditions: the final southeast sidewalk location must be brought back to the commission for review, and plantings must be installed per the city’s planting and maintenance guidelines. Staff and applicants said the city will maintain plantings on city property while the adjacent Fitzgerald property will maintain plantings on its side under a license or easement.
Each motion was made and seconded on the record; the minutes show commissioners called for aye votes and recorded motions as carried where noted.
