Committee debates tree‑canopy data, permits and a potential LiDAR study
The committee reviewed proposals to improve Newton’s tree‑canopy reporting, including collecting consistent permit data for exempt removals and commissioning periodic canopy assessments (LiDAR/GIS); staff reported 867 permits issued since March 2024 and roughly 1,400 trees removed.
The full story
Commissioner Mark Welch told the committee the city lacks timely, comparable canopy data to measure whether the 2024 tree‑ordinance changes are preserving canopy. Welch said staff have issued 867 tree permits between March 2024 and April 2025 (302 construction, 517 exempt, 48 non‑construction) and estimated roughly 1,400 trees were removed in that interval, with two‑thirds of removals tied to exempt permits.
Sign up to keep reading.
Your free newsletter brings you what your city council, county, and school board discussed and decided.
Keep reading for free
Create a free account to finish this story and see the video, transcript and key details.
Continue with GoogleContinue with emailAlready have an account? Log in