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Residents press council to protect Edgecliff trees as LIP-5 work advances; peer-review motion fails
Summary
Residents and a submitted letter urged the council to require certified arborist root inspections and avoid trenching near large trees during the Langley Infrastructure Project 5. Councilmember Rhonda Salerno’s motion to hire an outside peer reviewer failed for lack of a second.
Mayor Kennedy Horstman read city statements clarifying the LIP-5 process and the city’s tree-protection protocol, and councilmembers questioned when an arborist must be present during utility work.
A group of residents submitted a written letter urging the city to ensure a certified arborist is present for “high value tree root assessments” and to reconsider relocating stormwater piping to avoid large cedars on the Edgecliff bluff. The letter warned that trenching was scheduled to begin in front of the large cedars and cited past bluff instability as a reason to minimize root disturbance.
Councilmember Rhonda Salerno moved to hire an outside peer reviewer to examine the engineering and facts presented for LIP-5; the motion was not seconded and therefore failed. Council discussion centered on when an arborist inspection is contractually required and whether the city’s current contract with the contractor (EWS) covered below-ground root assessment.
The petitioners’ letter recommended either moving stormwater piping to the opposite side of the street or routing a 40–50-yard loop within the roadway to protect tree roots. The council did not adopt the peer-review motion during the meeting but continued discussion after public comment.
The issue is expected to remain under council review; residents and some councilmembers signaled they may seek further technical review before construction that could affect root zones proceeds.
