Board weighs tighter boulevard tree guidance after near-miss with utilities

The Pierre Arbor Board spent much of its April 28 meeting discussing updates to boulevard planting guidance and the Tree Planting Ordinance after members flagged safety and maintenance concerns. Bryan, a city staff member, introduced the topic and proposed updating the tree planting guide to include boulevard-specific recommendations, citing historical guides and suggesting smaller flowering trees and shrubs for less busy streets.

Schultz, a board member, emphasized safety risks tied to utility conflicts, saying, "planting in boulevards where utilities such as gas and water lines are present often leads to additional work and potential hazards, including the risk of hitting gas mains during digging." Jensen, a board member, added that residents and contractors must use the 'one call' system before digging; he recounted a near-miss in which a gas line was nearly struck because markings were miscommunicated. The board also noted that, under current ordinances, homeowners are responsible for removing trees and stumps except in cases involving Dutch Elm disease. Bryan said staff will draft boulevard-specific recommendations and return them for review.

Why it matters: boulevard plantings can create ongoing maintenance liabilities for the city and homeowners when utilities are present; clearer guidance and education could reduce safety incidents and repair costs. The board assigned a follow-up task to update the tree planting guide and incorporate utility-safety language for boulevard plantings.