Landowner and commission push to relax two-tree planting rule for Moulton Avenue lots

Landowner Michael Gill told the Greenland Conservation Commission on July 8 that he plans to keep new Moulton Avenue lots wooded and would only clear trees necessary for the road and underground electrical work. Speaking to commissioners, Gill said each lot will be cleared individually to reflect what a future homeowner wants and questioned a requirement to plant two trees per lot, saying homeowners often remove such plantings a few years later.

"I will clear only the trees necessary for the road and underground electrical. Each lot will be cut one at a time and to what each homeowner wants for trees left standing. No matter what the homeowner on these lots [is] going to choose later on, we [can] plant two trees and in three or four years [when] they decide they don't like those trees, they're going to cut them down," Gill said. Civilworks Engineering's Doug LaRosa was present for the discussion about site layout and utilities.

Commissioner Jean Eno moved that the commission recommend the planning board relax the two-tree requirement in favor of maintaining existing trees on the properties as the primary beautification measure; Cindy Hoohout seconded the motion and it passed unanimously among members present. Kathleen Babin-Johnson, chair, confirmed the recommendation would be forwarded to the planning board for their consideration.

The discussion also noted the proximity of Haines Brook and Winniconic Brook to the site; Jean Eno clarified that Haines Brook drains away from Moulton toward the reservoir on Post Road. The commission did not adopt covenants at the meeting and Gill said protective covenants for each lot had not yet been drafted. The planning board will receive the commission's recommendation and may address tree-planting requirements as part of its review of the subdivision application.