City of Somerville, Massachusetts - File #: 204782

• File #: 204782
• Version: 1
• Type: Public Communication
• Status: Placed on File
• File created: 12/12/2017
• In control: City Council
• On agenda: 12/14/2017
• Final action: 5/10/2018
• Enactment date: 12/14/2017
• Enactment #: 204782
• Title: Green and Open Somerville submitting comments re: #204364, proposed revisions to the Tree Preservation ordinance.
• Related files: 204364

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
5/10/2018	4	City Council	Work completed
5/2/2018	3	Legislative Matters Committee	Work completed
4/11/2018	2	Legislative Matters Committee	Kept in committee
12/14/2017	1	City Council	Placed on file

  Agenda Text

title

Green and Open Somerville submitting comments re: #204364, proposed revisions to the Tree Preservation ordinance.

body

Official Text

To the Honorable Board:

The attached document is recommendations Green and Open Somerville have made to the Somerville Ordinance Section 12-106, as to trees on city-owned property.

In it we proscribed that in all instances of removal of tree or shrubbery the Urban Forestry Committee be contacted and the opportunity for the committee to ask questions and feedback before the removal of tree or shrub, or herbaceous plantings.

In the exceptions of trees required to have a public hearing we request that the 3 inch diameter exclusion be lowered to 1 1/2 in as the star recommends. Younger plants with smaller diameters need to be planted to have healthier longer lived trees. They therefore must be protected.

If the Urban Forestry Committee is going to be a functional group that weighs in on, protects and rebuilds the forest in the city, then we need to be alerted when any part of the tree canopy is to be removed.

Please read amendments and reasonings in the attached document.

Thank you,

Tori Antonino
Green and Open Somerville