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Jubilee residents clash over tree removals as city weighs sidewalk project
Summary
Multiple Jubilee residents and HOA representatives addressed the council about a planned sidewalk repair that would remove mature street trees; speakers were split between preserving trees with root-barrier strategies and supporting full removal for safety. Speakers urged either a SEPA study or use of alternative methods before proceeding.
Multiple Jubilee residents turned out at the July 28 Lacey City Council work session to press competing views on a planned sidewalk repair project that would remove mature street trees in their neighborhood.
"Given the potential for substantial environmental impact caused by the removal of over a 120 mature shade trees from our neighborhood, I ask the council to consider a SEPA environmental impact study before proceeding with this project," said Margaret Green, who identified herself as a Jubilee resident. Green cited state WAC language she said prevents an exemption when combined actions may result in significant adverse environmental impacts.
Other residents argued the HOA supports the full project. "With more than 90% of Jubilee residents voting in favor of removing approximately 130 problematic trees," said Fred Kubisak, "this definitive action will reasonably assure sidewalk safety and liability reduction." Charlene McQuarrie, treasurer of the Jubilee HOA board, told council the board officially supports the project and asked that public funds be used to fix the recurring problem now rather than repeatedly patching sidewalks.
John Green, another Jubilee resident, urged the city to pursue less-destructive options where feasible, such as root pruning with root-barrier installation. He noted the city's large annual sidewalk budget ("over $12,000,000," as stated in testimony) and said residents have identified many trees with minimal lift. "Root pruning and adding root barriers to the current mature trees will certainly sustain the fix for a much longer time than the current practice," he said.
The public comment portion set the stage for a longer staff presentation and council discussion later in the meeting about how the city will balance sidewalk safety, tree canopy preservation, and costs.
