2006-08-28 Regular - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITIZEN COMMENTS: Elsie Glickert, 6712 Etzel Ms. Glickert first welcomed Ms. Ricci to the Council. Ms. Glickert felt that this bill had too many restrictions and requirements where additional study would be needed. She felt that the one thing that did need to be addressed immediately was hazardous trees but the rest of the bill needed to move more slowly. Ms. Glickert questioned what was an arborist and what qualification did this title include. She stressed that contrary to the proposal some trees needed to be topped. She urged the Council to move slowly with its adoption of a revised tree ordinance. Kay Drey, 515 West Point Ave Ms. Drey was present to support the bill. She said University City residents are proud of their rich canopy of trees. Ms. Drey felt this bill was necessary to protect the longevity of our City’s beautiful tree line. She remains committed to preserving University City’s environment. Saundra Lowes, 7425 Teasdale Ms. Lowes was in favor of the bill but was opposed to any new development coming in and tearing down all the trees and putting large homes on the lot. She also thought the bill gave the City too much authority, especially in residents’ backyards. Ms. Lowes was also concerned about the cost to a home owner for trimming a large older Oak tree that might become entangled with the power lines in her backyard. She would like the Council to rewrite the bill with fewer requirements for the homeowner and more on new developments. Wayne Munkel, 7543 Gannon Mr. Munkel was opposed to limiting what a homeowner could do to private trees on his property. He felt he was well experienced and could perform many of the trimming jobs without being forced to get a permit and hire a professional. He wanted a clause added stating that a homeowner experienced with tree trimming could do his own trimming without being assessed fines. Jane Schaffer, 501 West Drive Ms. Schaffer thanked the City for the great job they did in cleaning up the limbs and debris after the recent storm. She would like to know if Ameren UE would have to abide by this ordinance. Skip Kincaid,1609 Missouri Ave, Lafayette Mr. Kincaid worked for SKA Forestry and was a consultant on drafting this bill. He felt University City had done an exceptional job so far in managing the many trees in the City. He felt that there should be some control of the private trees to prevent topping in order to maintain the character of University City. He said that it has been his experience that a bill as this does not discourage new development. Mr. Kincaid explained what qualifies a person to be titled an arborist. They had to pass a test with 100 questions, have three years of experience and needed continuing education to be recertified. He praised the proposed bill’s giving the City Forester the legal right to trim or cut down hazardous City trees.