Shade Tree Commission

Borough of Doylestown Shade Tree Commission MINUTES Tuesday, May 13, 2025. 6:30 P.M. Full Meeting Packet: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/8gx4nqun9671ytjwx7lmr/AMWHZgHoVvUd8rjWW365OUs?rlkey=leluuks91um6 cngvzbnuraqna&dl=0 The regular meeting of the Shade Tree Commission was held on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 6:30 PM at Doylestown Borough Hall, 10 Doyle Street. Commission members in attendance included Lisa Moscherosch, Kayvon Tabatabai, Jean Weston and Baldev Lamba. Also present were Borough Arborist Bob McMullin, Dave Burger, Director of Public Works, and applicants James Wagner, Matthew Hodgson, Tom Ford, Chris Candino, and Andrew Bolton. Call to Order: Meeting was called to order at 6:30PM (WESTON/TABATABAI) Approval of Minutes: The April 2025 minutes were approved. (WESTON/TABATABAI) Subdivision/Land Development: 1. SDLD# 2025-02 – 275-279 N. Main Street, James Wagner, Applicant. Owner James Wagner attended the meeting and explained the Land Development project. It was determined that no changes or street trees would be recommended. (WESTON/TABATABAI) Tree Applications: 1. 429 Maple Avenue, Bill Roche, Property Owner. Recommended Approval. (MOSCHEROSCH/WESTON) 2. 196 Green Street, Bill and Jan Cope, Property Owners. Recommended Approval. (MOSCHEROSCH/LAMBA) 3. 230 W. Court Street, Matthew Hodgson and Tom Ford, Property Owners. Recommended Approval. (WESTON/TABATABAI) 4. 2 Trellis Path, Alan Clark, Property Owner. Due to the trees being so close to the property line and on the other side of the applicants fence. It was recommended that a letter from the neighbor was submitted to the Borough. It was also recommended to replant new trees. (MOSCHEROSCH/LAMBA) 5. 55 Mercer Avenue, Jen Smith, Property Owner. Recommended Approval. (MOSCHEROSCH/LAMBA) 6. 215 N. Franklin Street, Ken Buchholz, Property Owner. Recommendation to remove replant. (TABATABAI/MOSCHEROSCH) 7. 81 W. State Street, Raouf Grissa, Property Owner. Recommended Approval. (LAMBA/MOSCHEROSCH) 8. 193 N. Hamilton Street, David Pierce, Property Owner. Recommended to deny permit. The trees appear to be healthy and could benefit from proper maintenance. (MOSCHEROSCH/WESTON) (MOSCHEROSCH/WESTON) 9. 199 Washington Street, Frank Coulter, Property Owner. Recommended Approval (LAMBA/MOSCHEROSCH) 10. 130 E. Court Street, Donna VanHorn Lazzari, Property Owner. Recommended to deny permit. Due to the tree appearing healthy, it's recommended that the ivy be cut at the base and properly removed. Applicant is invited to attend the June meeting to review application. (MOSCHEROSCH/WESTON) 11. 197 N. Hamilton Street, Charles and Lori Lang, Property Owners. Recommended to deny permit. The tree appears to be healthy and could benefit from proper maintenance. (MOSCHEROSCH/WESTON) 12. 669 Stryker Avenue, Chester and Isabel Streeper, Property Owners. Recommended Approval (LAMBA/WESTON) 13. 195 N. Hamilton Street, Mark Ullman, Property Owner. Recommended to deny permit. The tree appears to be healthy and could benefit from proper maintenance. (MOSCHEROSCH/WESTON) Old/New Business: 1. Tree Giveaway. Dave Burger explained the challenges in sourcing bare root trees this year, particularly due to weather delays and the need for immediate planting upon delivery. These timing issues, combined with postponed events, have made the process difficult. As an alternative, he was able to secure potted maple trees approximately 3 feet tall. The Commission will distribute the trees at the Doylestown Farmers Market on May 17th from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Informational literature on tree care and the benefits of street trees will also be available at the booth.  2. Ordinance Consideration – Approved Planting List Amendment. The Commission discussed concerns regarding the current tree ordinance, noting that the existing list of approved species is limited and includes trees that are often unavailable or impractical for planting within the Borough. It was agreed that the Commission will review the current approved planting list, with particular focus on street trees, and propose additional suitable species to include. Members will come prepared to the June meeting with tree recommendations for consideration. The idea of conducting an annual review of the approved tree list was also discussed, with the goal of keeping the list up to date. Suggestions included incorporating native cultivars, adding asterisks with arborist notes, and modeling the format after similar practices in neighboring municipalities. 3. 401 Maple Avenue - Street Tree Removal. Property owner Chris Candido requested that the Commission recommend approval for the removal of a Red Maple located in the right-of-way on Cottage Street. The existing tree's placement is preventing him from planting five new trees in the area. After discussion, the Commission agreed to recommend removal of the tree on the condition that at least four new trees be planted along the road, in the space between the newly installed wall and the street. (LAMBA/WESTON) Reports: 1. Chairperson Report. None 2. Arborist’s Report. None Public Comment: None Adjournment: There will be no further business before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 8:26 PM (TABATABAI/LAMBA) Next Shade Tree Commission Meeting is Tuesday, June 10, 2025