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Grand Ledge council delays removal of dangerous trees at 912 Willow Hwy., schedules new hearing
Summary
After staff and an arborist found dangerous trees at 912 Willow Hwy., the council postponed any removal action until the property owner receives the city report; a follow-up public hearing is set for 7 p.m. July 13, 2026.
GRAND LEDGE, Mich. — The Grand Ledge City Council on June 30 postponed action on removing trees the city has deemed dangerous at 912 Willow Hwy. and scheduled a follow-up public hearing for 7 p.m. July 13, 2026, after staff said the property owner had not yet received the city’s report.
Adam Smith, Grand Ledge city manager, told the council that the city must provide its inspection and the arborist’s report to the property owner by certified mail before taking removal action, and recommended postponing enforcement until the report is delivered and posted at the residence. Public Services Superintendent Dave Gutchess summarized the city’s 2023 arborist investigation and told the council the report recommends removal of the hazardous trees; he also said earlier notices to the owner were unclaimed and that the owner had appeared to misunderstand the city’s underground-utility easement.
Mayor Keith Mulder opened the public hearing under City Code Chapter 16 — Environment, Article V — Trees, Division 2 at 9:10 a.m.; Susan Fedewa of 910 Old Post Rd. spoke during the hearing and urged the council to have the dangerous trees removed. The hearing was closed at 9:11 a.m.
City Attorney Gordon VanWieren also advised postponing final action until the report is provided to the owner in the manner required by the code. After discussion, Council Member Brett Gillespie moved and Council Member Dave Logel seconded a motion to schedule a public hearing on the item at the council’s regular meeting on July 13 at 7:00 p.m.; the motion carried unanimously.
The item appeared on the special meeting agenda as "Motion – To remove the dangerous trees located at 912 Willow Hwy., in accordance with City Code Chapter 16 – Environment, Article V – Trees, Division 2, Sections 16-396 through 16-398," but the council took no final removal action at the June 30 meeting. Instead, the council directed staff to complete and serve the required report and to include the item on the July 13 agenda for additional public comment and formal consideration.
The special meeting adjourned at 9:18 a.m. The next scheduled step is the July 13 council meeting, when the public hearing will be reopened and the council may vote on removal if the notice requirements have been satisfied.
