Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tree Wildlife Concerns topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Neighbors urge tree protection, plant salvage and wildlife considerations for Sandstone Ridge
Summary
Multiple residents told the commission they want greater protection for trees and wildlife, asked whether native understory plants could be salvaged before clearing, and requested consideration of privacy measures such as fence placement and adjustment of a road stub adjacent to backyards.
Several neighbors used the public-comment period to press the commission on tree retention, wildlife and neighborhood impacts. Cliff Despo, who lives directly adjacent to the proposed site, asked the commission to "reconsider the road stub that would extend right up to my property line in the middle of my backyard" and requested a fence or alternatives to protect privacy.
Resident Sarah Westervelt urged the city to invite conservation organizations to salvage native plants prior to clearing and criticized earlier clearcutting near Languinette Lane that she said left no plant salvage. "I would ask the City of Poulsbo to please, take the time and the steps to do that," she said, offering to volunteer. Other neighbors, including David Carpenter (an environmental engineer), described tree die-off risks from increased exposure after clearing and urged minor shifts to buffers to improve tree survival.
Planning staff acknowledged tree-retention complexity and said the city arborist will review tree-cutting and clearing permits; staff also said applicants may provide plant-salvage efforts voluntarily and that the city can provide neighborhood information about potential plant-rescue organizations. The commission did not change site conditions at the hearing but staff will include arborist reports and required tree-retention measures in permit review.
