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Council delays tree‑bond schedule and Street Code changes for Arboretum Committee review
Summary
Discussion of Ordinance No. 2025‑7 (right‑of‑way tree protection) and Resolution No. 2025‑3 (fee and bond schedule including tree‑related bonds) was deferred so staff can update the ordinance and the Arboretum Committee can review proposed tree bond amounts, which staff illustrated could total $23,300 in an example involving two town trees.
The Garrett Park Town Council on Aug. 11 discussed proposed amendments to the Street Code (Ordinance No. 2025‑7) and a related resolution (No. 2025‑3) that would set permit performance bond and tree protection bond amounts.
Town Manager Barb Matthews described changes made since earlier drafts, including removing a redundant definition and adding rights‑of‑way to the Town Parcel definition (later agreed to be deleted). The council and staff focused on shrubbery and tree‑related provisions. Matthews said Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services' bond calculator was used to determine baseline permit bond amounts; Mayor Keller and consulting arborist Phil Normandy developed supplemental tree bond amounts that vary by tree size and project type and would be applied per tree.
Councilmember Gerilee Bennett asked whether a homeowner installing a driveway who had two sizable Town trees in front of their residence would be required to post a $23,300 bond; Matthews clarified the example as $3,300 for the driveway plus $20,000 for the two trees. Because those tree bond amounts are sensitive and technical, the council agreed to defer action to allow the Arboretum Committee to review the proposed bond schedule and for staff to make revisions to the ordinance draft.
No formal adoption occurred; the items were deferred for further review.
