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City plans to attack our trees

by Dale Kooyman, published on December 3, 2008 at 9:57 PM

Storyline: Trees

Community Tags city of sacramento george raya parks and recreation planning commission politics tree tree commission trees urban forest

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I've just learned that city management is planning to move the appeal process to cut down trees from the Parks and Recreation Commission to the Planning Commission on all development related issues!!! This would apply to ALL developer projects.

Why is this bad? This change will enable Development Services Manager and staff (who have no expertise in trees) to order removal of healthy shade trees any time a developer wants them removed. The public would have to appeal to the Planning Commission instead of the Parks and Recreation Commission. A tree would not have to be in the way of construction. It could be that the developer wants all new or fewer trees bordering the new building. Check out SW corner of 20th & Capitol. The big healthy shade Elm tree would have been cut down had it not been for people's opposition.

Please attend Urban Forest Sub Committee Agenda for December 8, 2008 5:30 PM. The meeting to discuss and decide this change of policy will be held in Conference Room 2121 - 2nd floor, DOT offices at City Hall.

Our Tree representative, George Raya, will be there on our behalf but he needs our heip. We need to call, email or mail our new Mayor, and councilmembers Loren Hammond , Seve Cohn, Ray Tretheway (former Tree Foundation) , Rob Fong also to let them know this is just a way to get a healthy tree cut down in a hurry to please a developer who does not even live in our city..

Points to cover a. Planning staff and commission have no expertise in or knowledge about trees like the Parks and Recreation Commission does. b. this is wanton destruction of HEALTHY trees' shade for all pedestrians (mention especially seniors, children, those in wheel chairs) who then have to move around in 100 degree weather. This flies in the face the city encouraging pedestrian activity.

We all agree that sick and dangerous trees should be removed but we must save our healthy shade trees from unnecessary destruction.

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Conversation Express your views, debate, and be heard with those in your area closest to the issue.

Ben Ilfeld

December 3, 2008 | 10:13 PM

I am so turned off by this move. Why are we giving up on our trees?

Also, I think there is a real need for a Trees Commission.

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William Burg

edited on December 4, 2008 | 12:43 PM

"We" aren't, if you're talking about the people of Sacramento as a whole. A handful of developers, and a handful of people at high levels of city government, are doing this. As to why they want it, I don't know. Maybe they think that having so many trees makes Sacramento look like an idyllic, calm place instead of the super intense city they want to see. Maybe they feel like letting developers do whatever they want helps promote Sacramento as a pro-business city. Maybe a falling tree crushed their family and they have an irrational hatred of trees. Who knows? The point is, the vast majority of Sacramentans would be horrified by this, and the more people who read it in open forums like this one, the more they'll start shouting and maybe get it stopped!

We do have a Trees Commission--the city's Parks & Recreation Commission has the knowledge and the oversight ability. But city management want to take away their authority. The question is, will the city's residents allow this to happen?

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Ben Ilfeld

December 4, 2008 | 2:48 PM

let's not. I hope we can get enough voices together and make a difference.

What should we do next?

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William Burg

December 4, 2008 | 2:56 PM

Dale outlines that pretty well above: first, show up to that meeting on the 8th! Second, call or write your city council representative! Third, spread the word!

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advocate

December 4, 2008 | 4:52 PM

Right on, Burg, those are the steps! numbers and voices bring changes. As an aside, another thing all of us need to do is keep your eyes peeled for signs that the city plans to remove. Call the number on the sign and ask WHY? Sometimes and existing business or landlord is just tired of cleaning up the leaves, etc. and tells the city that the tree is endangering its buildings. City Arborists used to be very diligent about determining if the removal is needed because it poses a danger or just whimsical. No more!!!!!!! Walk on east side of 24th Street between J & K. You will find two removal signs posted--one a Magnolia and the other a Palm tree? WHY??? May be a good reason but the more we call the Urban Forest number and city management the more they know we are watching and the less apt they are to be so cavalier--particularly if you notify your mayor and council member at the same time.. If you don't know their phone numbers just call 311.

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Sarah Payne