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Council lifts 1977 blue‑spruce covenant for 506 Hallum, with forestry and fire review required
Summary
Council approved a minor subdivision amendment removing a 1977 covenant that preserved a blue spruce at 506 Hallum; staff and the applicant said removal remains subject to city forestry, parks and fire-department requirements and the applicant cited insurer-driven safety concerns.
The Aspen City Council approved a minor subdivision amendment on April 8 that removes a 1977 covenant safeguarding a blue spruce tree on lots identified in the original exemption. City planner Jeffrey Barnhill said staff could not find the original rationale for the covenant and recommended lifting the condition while retaining standard forestry and fire review requirements.
Applicant Nick Haim, who said he purchased the property in January, told council his insurance underwriter requested tree removal for fire-safety, wind risk and overhang concerns. Haim described steps taken with the city forester and a fire‑department assessment; he said the city forester had issued a permit pending the amendment.
Barnhill clarified that the council’s approval does not itself permit removal of the tree; it removes only the 1977 covenant language. He said the owner must still comply with applicable park/forestry rules and the city forester and fire department will review any removal permit. Council members asked staff to brief the new council on the tree-removal process and how forestry and defensible‑space rules interact with urban‑forest preservation. The council voted unanimously to approve the amendment and the related resolution.
