Tree Board Meeting 9.15.2023

Detailed briefing

Tree Advisory Board Meeting — September 15, 2023 ATTENDEES: Jamie Melke, Gail Brown, and Teresa Johnson were recorded present; Dana Mulder attended via Zoom and could participate but not vote. • The board approved the August 18 meeting minutes after a motion and second. The transcript does not provide a vote count. • In reviewing the street-tree plan corridor for below the bluff, Bluff West, and Glen Drive, members said Glen Drive generally has sufficient tree coverage. They identified possible gaps around Traverse Street, Fourth Street, and the Washington/Third Street area, including areas near Cottage Company construction. • The group set a working priority order for future street-tree attention: Traverse Street as the highest priority, Fourth Street as medium priority, and the Washington/Third Street section after that. Members noted that construction may continue to change conditions in some areas. • For Marina Park, the board discussed possible replacement-tree choices, including disease-resistant elms, tulip trees, honey locusts, London plane trees, and Japanese zelkovas. Members cited the city’s existing maple inventory and diversity guidelines as reasons to avoid adding more maples. The board reached consensus on two elm trees, subject to a further site visit to confirm the number and placement. Spring was mentioned as the likely timeframe. • The board discussed a residents’ request for zoning rules on private bluff-property tree trimming or removal. Staff and members said the issue needs more analysis: cutting trees leaves roots in place for an uncertain period, while removing stumps could expose soil. Discussion also raised canopy loss, invasive species, aesthetics, water management, and bluff stability. No ordinance recommendation or outcome was reached. • For public outreach, the board planned to run a “Right Tree, Right Place” Tree Corner item in October, tied to a Parks article expected later in September. A future article idea on the “tiny forest” movement will be discussed at the October meeting. Worth watching: • Whether a site review confirms the proposed two-elm Marina Park planting and its locations. • Whether the Planning Commission chooses to pursue the private-bluff tree-removal request. • Staff’s promised follow-up on comparable ordinances, legal information, and MDOT-related material. Upcoming: The next meeting is expected to continue corridor review, including the central business district, Hoyt, Main, bluff, Beach, and Bay areas; no meeting date was stated. Why it matters: The board is linking street-tree planning, species diversity, and private-bluff vegetation questions to long-term canopy, neighborhood conditions, and potential land-use policy.

No open public follow-ups are linked to this meeting yet.