Englewood council takes steps to protect trees

ENGLEWOOD With a desire to preserve trees and discourage resident clear-cutting their property, city leaders amended the law that regulations trees in the municipality.

BERNADETTE MARCINIAK/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

City leaders approved new measures to regulate removing and planting trees on private property.

"We want to create a culture that says we value our tree," said Council President Lynne Algrant. "This ordinance is really helping us to do that."

The amended ordinance, approved unanimously at the Feb. 25 council meeting, requires a tree replacement plan seven days after emergency removals, increases the diameter of replacement trees from two-and-half inches to three-and-half inches, raises tree replacement fees, limits the number of trees residents can remove without a permit, and adds an appeal process.

Mayor Frank Huttle III said he experienced the ill effects of unregulated tree cutting a few years ago when a neighbor removed about 38 trees from their land, causing flooding issues on Huttle's property.

"This [ordinance] is something I'm very pleased has come to fruition," said Huttle. "It will protect every residence in Englewood."

Residents are now allowed take down two trees within a three-year time frame without a permit, when previously they could remove three trees per year.

While tree removal fees remained at $50, the amount of money residents must contribute to a tree fund in lieu of replacing trees increased from $200 to $250.

An appeal process if an applicant does not agree with the rejection or an application or conditions opposed by the city engineer was also added to the ordinance. The applicants would present the appeal to the City Manager Tim Dacey, "who at his discretion may request assistance from a representative of the Englewood Environmental Commission."

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Englewood council takes steps to protect trees