27th Avenue project; tree removal; stopped for now
The meeting took place this morning regarding the tree killings in the Grove. A few arborists explained that the trees were not "perfect" so they needed to go, which is not acceptable to most people. The main gist of the meeting were the last two trees that were slated to go as part of Phase I of the SW 27th Avenue project, they are at the Shell gas station on 27th and US1.
Various people seemed to be sent from our local government to spin some sort of yarn on how this is a good thing, there was a lot of urban planning talk about mitigation of trees and things like that. Most of it sounded prepared and scripted, coming from higher ups.
But the main focus is on how "imperfect" the trees are and that they are and could be a danger to people if they fall. But all trees are "imperfect" that is the very nature of trees. If every tree in the world was actually examined, there would be reason to knock them all down under the criteria being used for this street scape project.
The County wanted to proceed as scheduled and complete the demolition of trees and start Phase I, saying that they would meet with the public before Phase II, but they needed to get Phase I started. But luckily, friends of the trees, Liliana Dones and Santiago Villegas, of Tree Watch, claimed that once the huge pipes go into the ground as part of Phase I, it would be so easy for the County to say that Phase II must proceed so that the pipes connect to the Phase I pipes and screw anything in their path. Plus who can trust the county, or city at this point, to even meet with concerned citizens right before Phase II starts?
Michelle Neimeyer, chair of the Village Council, who was also present this morning, has scheduled a meeting with all parties involved. She wants the Village Council to stand up for the residents and their concerns about this important issue. A meeting will take place soon, it is not a public meeting, but will be a "working meeting" to decide what to do about the trees that were already destroyed and to try and decide how the new drainage system can be built without destroying everything in its path. At the meeting will be Village Council members, Tree Watch members, the City, the County, arborists, Public Works, contractors on the project and others concerned.
Right now, nothing can continute. All work as at a hault. Before anymore damage is done, there will be a long, detailed discussion.
"The intention it to create communication among all the organizations involved in this project," says Michelle Niemeyer. "In the end, it all affects the residents."
Various people seemed to be sent from our local government to spin some sort of yarn on how this is a good thing, there was a lot of urban planning talk about mitigation of trees and things like that. Most of it sounded prepared and scripted, coming from higher ups.
But the main focus is on how "imperfect" the trees are and that they are and could be a danger to people if they fall. But all trees are "imperfect" that is the very nature of trees. If every tree in the world was actually examined, there would be reason to knock them all down under the criteria being used for this street scape project.
The County wanted to proceed as scheduled and complete the demolition of trees and start Phase I, saying that they would meet with the public before Phase II, but they needed to get Phase I started. But luckily, friends of the trees, Liliana Dones and Santiago Villegas, of Tree Watch, claimed that once the huge pipes go into the ground as part of Phase I, it would be so easy for the County to say that Phase II must proceed so that the pipes connect to the Phase I pipes and screw anything in their path. Plus who can trust the county, or city at this point, to even meet with concerned citizens right before Phase II starts?
Michelle Neimeyer, chair of the Village Council, who was also present this morning, has scheduled a meeting with all parties involved. She wants the Village Council to stand up for the residents and their concerns about this important issue. A meeting will take place soon, it is not a public meeting, but will be a "working meeting" to decide what to do about the trees that were already destroyed and to try and decide how the new drainage system can be built without destroying everything in its path. At the meeting will be Village Council members, Tree Watch members, the City, the County, arborists, Public Works, contractors on the project and others concerned.
Right now, nothing can continute. All work as at a hault. Before anymore damage is done, there will be a long, detailed discussion.
"The intention it to create communication among all the organizations involved in this project," says Michelle Niemeyer. "In the end, it all affects the residents."
posted by Tom Falco at 3:30 PM
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