Borough of Doylestown Shade Tree Commission Meeting Minutes

Transcription

1 Meeting Date: Wednesday June 17, 2015 Borough of Doylestown Shade Tree Commission Meeting Minutes Location and Time: Borough Hall Conference Room 7:30 PM Meeting Attendance: Shade Tree Commission: Chris May, Judy Stratton, Baldev Lamba Borough Arborist: Bob McMullin Borough Staff Liaison to STC: Dave Burger Permit Applicants: Joe Bolletino for 123 S. Main and Michael and Constance Healy for 13 Easthill Drive. Others: None Meeting Discussions: 1. Permit Applications for Tree Removal: 13 Easthill Drive: Approved permit application for removal of one White Pine approved. The two Red Maples are in good condition. May 31, 2002, the prior homeowners were Appoved to remove these trees; however, Chris recommended they just prune for now. If they decide they want to remove, it was recommended they take out the Maple designated #6 on their diagram first. They will also replant a small shade tree to replace the White Pine. 17 Meadow Lane: Approved permit application for removal of one Pin Oak (leaf scorch) 100 Belmont Avenue: Approved permit application for removal of one Norway Spruce (decay in trunk) 424 North Street: Approved permit application for removal of one Pin Oak (leaf scorch) 123 S. Main Street (Sink the Ink): Hold permit application for one Weeping Norway Spruce pending on-site meeting with applicant and additional Shade Tree Commission members. Removal of one Yew, seeded Sycamore Maple was also requested and should be recommended for approval. This is a new Action Item, 393 E. Court Street: Approved permit application for removal of two Norway Maples. One has dead stems and the other is in advance decline 2. Emergency Permit Applications for Tree Removal.211 E. Court Street: Approved permit application for removal of one Norway Maple. Approved (poor condition). 417 E. State Street: Approved permit application for removal of one Ash (dead, hazardous). STC Minutes draft.docx/ Page 1

2 3. Emerald Ash Borer Bob discussed Emerald Ash Borer: It has just been found in Warrington Township, Warwick Township and Doylestown Township (at Delaware Valley University). 4. Tree Contractor Pennsylvania License for Removal of Trees The licensing/insurance matter on tree applications was discussed again (the tree contractor listed on 31 Mercer Avenue permit application (May 20, 2015 meeting) is actually electrical contracting company; not an arborist, tree removal contractor, or landscaper).. Bob will check to see if there are other municipalities that require a Pennsylvania license for removal of trees by contractors. This is a new Action Item. 5. PARK(ing) Day for Doylestown Baldev gave a presentation proposing that Doylestown have a PARK(ing) Day on September 18, The purpose of a PARK(ing) Day is to temporarily turn a parking space into a park with sod, benches, and trees for ecology demos, seminars, urban forums and art installations. This would be a one day event (9-5) using State Street spaces. Baldev's presentation included some creative examples of what can be done within one parking space. Gilmore & Associates did it once at Plaza West. Baldev has also presented this proposal the Borough s Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) and they were enthusiastic. Baldev suggested this will be coordinated with John Davis and Baldev hopes the STC will also be involved. Baldev will try to set up a meeting next week with interested people and will let us know. The STC gave him some names of tree and flower businesses to contact for donations. This is a new Action Item. 6. Closed Action Items The following action items were Closed. Memorial Tree for Burpee Park o Action Item from 4/15/2015 meeting. Dave will ask Chris to suggest a tree species for a memorial tree for Burpee Park. o The Borough is planting three Legacy Maples June 18. o This Action Item is Closed. 31 Mercer Avenue: Tree Permit Application o Action Item from 5/20/2015 STC meeting. Hold permit application for removal of one Ash tree, one Magnolia tree, and one Pine tree. STC Minutes draft.docx/ Page 2

3 o Chris spoke with homeowners. The Magnolia and Pine already removed were approved; the Ash has at least 6 cuts (butchered) and will not survive and will have to be removed. Chris recommended Approval of the permit application for removal of one Ash. The permit will require homeowner to accept a street tree be planted. o This Action Item is Closed. 40 Forest Drive: Tree Removal Permit Applications 7. Open Action Items: o Action Item from 5/20/2015 STC meeting. Hold permit application requesting removal of three trees. The Sycamore tree and Silver Maple tree may be ok to remove, but the Japanese Maple is a healthy tree that may better to keep. o The permit application was resolved and Approved. o This Action Item is Closed 2015 Street Tree Planting: o Action Item initiated at 12/17/2014 STC meeting and revised at subsequent meetings to reflect progress to date. o Dave is leading this Action Item. He has compiled a list of 46 locations where new street trees could be planted. o The next step is to inform property owners. o Following confirmation of sites, the cost will be estimated and trees will be purchased. o Planting should get underway before the Borough Public Works staff gets busy with leaf collection. o If it is economical, contractors will be used to plant some of the trees. Review and Revise Recommended Trees List: o New Action Item at 5/20/2015 meeting. o The Shade Tree Commission will review this list and make revisions, where needed Arbor Day Tree Give-away Replacement for Red Maple: o Action Item from 5/20/2015 o There was a number of left over Red Maple trees. These trees were less desirable because a mature Red Maple tree was too large for most people. o The Shade Tree Commission should recommend a different tree to replace the Red Maple next year. STC Minutes draft.docx/ Page 3

4 123 S. Main Street (Sink the Ink): o Action Item from 6/17/2015 Hold permit application for one Weeping Norway Spruce pending onsite meeting with applicant and additional Shade Tree Commission members. Removal of one Yew, seeded Sycamore Maple was also requested and should be recommended for approval. o Post Meeting Notes: On June 21, 2015 STC members (Chris, Judy, Baldev, and Jim) met with property owner (Joe Bolletino) at the property. The discussion included the following comments: The property owner s primary objective is to expose the business to street view along South Main Street. Another concern is damage to a retaining wall next to the tree. The retaining wall is close to the existing trunk (within 3'), but no damage is evident to the retaining wall. The Shade Tree Commission members concern is it would be a missed opportunity not to keep the Weeping Norway Spruce in some form; however, it its not a significant canopy tree. The Shade Tree Commission members suggested a judicial pruning could meet the property owner s objective of exposing the business to better viewing from Main Street. The property owner agreed this may be good alternative to removal of the tree and asked if Chris could meet with his arborist to explain the suggested pruning. Chris will meet up with property owner s arborist to review pruning and if the arborist and the property owner agree, they will prune the tree rather than removing it. However, if the property owner and his arborist do not agree that this will meet their objectives, or that this incremental step is not satisfactory, they may remove the tree. The STC will recommend Approval of permit application for removal of seeded Sycamore Maple sapling and one Yew. Also if the property owner may also removal the Weeping Norway Maple if pruning cannot be done to his satisfaction. Tree Contractor Pennsylvania License for Removal of Trees o Action Item from 6/17/2015 The licensing/insurance matter on tree applications was discussed again (the tree contractor listed on 31 Mercer Avenue permit application (May 20, 2015 meeting) is actually electrical contracting company; not an arborist, tree removal contractor, or landscaper).. Bob will check to see if there are other municipalities that require a Pennsylvania license for removal of trees by contractors. STC Minutes draft.docx/ Page 4

5 PARK(ing) Day for Doylestown o Action Item from 6/17/2015 Baldev suggested this will be coordinated with John Davis and Baldev hopes the STC will also be involved. Baldev will try to set up a meeting next week with interested people and will let us know. 8. Review and Approval of Meeting Minutes: The draft minutes for the May 20, 2015 Shade Tree Commission meeting were approved. Respectfully Submitted, Jim Resek, Secretary (These minutes are based on meeting notes provided by Judy Stratton and the on-site permit review meeting by STC members at 123 S. Main Street on 6/21/2015) STC Minutes draft.docx/ Page 5

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