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Neighbors cite stormwater and canopy loss as reasons to preserve Maplewood’s 271-year-old tree
Summary
Immediate neighbors and multiple residents testified that removing the London plane at 62 Pearson Road would worsen local drainage, reduce stormwater interception and erase a longstanding visual screen — urging the committee to uphold the permit denial.
Neighbors and residents who live near 62 Pearson Road urged the township committee to keep the permit denial in place, describing routine flooding nearby and the tree’s role in stormwater control and neighborhood character. Ellen Seidman (58 Pearson) presented i-Tree figures estimating the tree intercepts about 10,600 gallons of rainfall per year and avoids about 2,688 gallons of runoff; she also noted the tree’s trunk was marked at 72 inches diameter and the canopy roughly 98 feet across.
Several residents said the replacement plan (six maples at about 2.5" caliper each) would not provide equivalent environmental services. "So according to the permit application, if this tree is to be removed given that it's 72 inches, the developer would have to replace 1 tree with 6 trees," Seidman said, adding the six maples would provide far less rainfall interception in practice. Multiple commenters linked canopy loss to recurring flooding on adjacent properties and the golf course and urged the committee to deny the permit.
