Public shade tree hearing

On January 25, 2020, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

The hearing takes place, January 27, 6:00 p.m., at Somerville High School Cafeteria, 81 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA. The following Fourteen (14) public shade trees have been proposed for removal:

1. 10 Inner Belt Road – Removal of two (2) Callery Pear trees (8”, 14” diameter),
and one (1) London Plane (8” diameter) for Residential Development.

2. 20 Inner Belt Road – Removal of five (5) Callery Pear trees (8”, 12”, 10”, 8”, 4”
diameter), two (2) Green Ash (12”, 12” diameter), one (1) Norway Maple (10”
diameter, and one (1) Hawthorn for Hotel Development. Inner Belt locations will
be replanted.

3. 19 Highland Road – Removal of one (1) Colorado Blue Spruce (diameter) due to
Eversource Utility conflict.

4. 14 Dresden Circle – Removal of one (1) Siberian Elm due to resident concern and
suspected Elm borer pest.

In accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 87, objections to the removal of any of these trees must be submitted in writing to the City Urban Forester prior to or at the public hearing. The mailing address for the Urban Forester is City of Somerville, 93 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA. 02143; email: trees@somervillema.gov; phone: 617-625-6600.

3 Responses to “Public shade tree hearing”

joe says:

January 25, 2020 at 7:20 pm

I knew this would happen.

It was wrong for the city council to pass a tree ordinance. It’s an unjust encroachment on property owner rights. Property owners bear all the responsibility and cost for trees on their property, not to mention more basic ownership rights, and yet the city was insisting that significant private trees absolutely may not be cut down. Mark Niedergang (I believe the architect of the ordinance) hatched this plan when he saw a developer cut down a “perfectly good tree” on a neighboring property… apparently he was upset. I believe he defended the ordinance at least insinuating that “it’s only to stop developers… not residents”.

I’ve had to jump through hoops to get a tree cut down. It was ridiculous. Meanwhile I’ve seen several large trees hacked down by developers around Union Square. The ordinance does nothing of course… developers will chop down whatever, pay the fine, and pass the cost to the buyer.

Now we’re having hearings apparently on whether developers can cut down a handful of significant trees for development? Why? Where is the tree ordinance? Who cares if the trees are replanted. It takes decades to reach adult size.

By the way, I think the owner/developer of a private property should have absolute say over whether to cut down a privately owned tree or not. I just want the absurdity of the tree ordinance to be acknowledged and hopefully the ordinance repealed.
Urban blight returns says:

January 25, 2020 at 7:37 pm

Inner belt road has more issues than just tree’s. It appears that the parking rules don’t apply on that street. Drive down there during any day (but particularly during weekdays) and you’ll see about 100 to 200 illegally parked cars starting from Washington to street and going the entire length of the road to the dead end. They park next to signs that clearly say “NO PARKING ANYTIME”. Some of these vehicles have been abandoned for six months or more, with 4 flat tires and broken windows. it looks awful in a part of the city that frankly looks awful with out these cars. Enforce the parking rules equally.

Also is it possible to change the traffic light timing so that the red light on Inner belt doesn’t last for 10 MINUTES!
Mr. Greenjeans says:

January 26, 2020 at 7:48 am

But… But… But….

We need to go GREEN! Isn’t that what the city has been ramming down our throats? Or is the GREEN they’re really talking about actually the GREEN the developers are lining their pockets with?