Tree Protection Board

Tree Protection Board Minutes Monday, August 9, 2021 Members Present: Faye Campbell David Morris Ginger Reilly Kenny Sott Peter Wallace Staff Present: Jessie Shuler, Director of Planning Bill Salisbury, Arborist The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. Mr. Sott asked for consideration of the July 7, 2021 meeting minutes. Mr. Wallace made a motion for approval of the minutes as presented. Ms. Reilly seconded the motion. The motioned carried. Old Business 1. 1899 Bacon’s Bridge Road – Removal of trees for construction of school Mr. Jack Smith, attorney; provided schedule of approval, on schedule to have all other approvals by Labor Day, goal is to have school open by 2022 school year; without approval will likely have to wait until mid- October. Ms. Reilly asked what guarantees do they have from the Corps? Casey with Town is working on calculations to show not making flooding worse and satisfied Engineering so let Corps know; also won’t be impacting Phase III of Parkway negatively. Jack stated there is no guarantee but believe they will be able to meet schedule based on discussions with Town and Corps. Mr. Sott asked how confident they are that these plans will be the ones approved. Jack stated they are very confident, just quality control on stormwater calculations at this time. Mr. Wallace stated concerns like landscape plan in terms of numbers and species; all earthwork on 165 side of sewer easement? Casey stated from property line to 165, over excavating in area of sewer easement to build up building pad. Mr. Wallace questioned whether there are soil amendments. Casey stated they will stockpile hydric soil on-site and mix back in prior to planting. Mr. Wallace asked about the proposed depth of topsoil replacement. Casey stated 12” is the proposed depth. Mr. Salisbury asked about the depth of morel. Casey would have to check geo-tech report; are planning to over-excavate where needed for trees/shrubs. Mr. Salisbury stated he did not see that in the plans. Mr. Sott questioned tree size. Casey stated the majority will be 3” but 5” caliper in parking lot. Bosque Elms along Bacon’s Bridge will be 4”. Availability checked and confirmed in that size. Jack stated the developer will stand behind this project. Mr. Wallace made a motion to approve plans, Mr. Morris seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-1 with Ms. Reilly against. New Business 1. 305 McDougal Circle – Removal of one Magnolia tree Cheryl Mitchell is a single, disabled woman who cannot properly care for the yard. If the tree can’t be removed, she questioned about it being pruned. Mr. Sott stated pruning is available; however, the requirements for pruning are not to remove more than 20%, cannot top it. Mr. Wallace asked if the main concern is the leaves. Ms. Mitchell said yes. Ms. Campbell said it is okay to leave some leaves under the tree. Mr. Sott stated based on the health of tree the guidelines do not allow approval. Mr. Wallace agrees, not a justification in the ordinance; can only prune from bottom, not top. Mr. Wallace made a motion to deny removal, Ms. Reilly seconded the motion. The motion carried. 2. 203 Wickford Court – Removal of two Pine and one Maple tree John Runyon presented. He stated he appreciates the work of the Board, has lived in Summerville for about 28 years. The roots are attacking the neighbor’s property and leaning over the neighbor’s driveway; pine trees are about 10’ and #2 is leaning over a bedroom; he has over twenty-two other pine trees on property and three oaks. Mr. Sott questioned what the concern over the maple tree is. Mr.  Tree Protection Board Minutes Monday, August 9, 2021 Runyon stated it has already damaged the irrigation system and he is concerned about the canopy leaning over the neighbor’s property. Mr. Wallace agreed with concerns about the pines and that there are lots of other pines, concerning the maple tree there is pruning that could be done to the canopy. Mr. Runyon stated he thinks removing the large limb over the neighbor’s would help and not hurt the trees health. Mr. Salisbury agreed if no more than 20% is removed, will go back by to inspect. Mr. Wallace made a motion to allow removal of the two pines and deny the maple tree, Mr. Salisbury to go by and inspect for pruning. The motion carried. 3. 117 Smythe Drive – Removal of one Pine tree No applicant present: Mr. Salisbury reported the owner complained about termites but he did not see any sign but bark pulled off bottom, tree is healthy, about 20’ from house. Ms. Campbell made a motion to deny removal, Ms. Reilly seconded the motion. The motion carried. 4. 110 Horse Shoe Bay Court – Removal of two Pine trees No applicant present: Mr. Salisbury stated the tree is way back from the house, he did not see any problems. The owner had mentioned installing a pool but would need a pool permit. Mr. Sott made a motion to deny, Ms. Campbell seconded the motion. The motion carried. 5. 106 Hyacinth – The owner, Jeff, voiced his dismay about the trees butchered by Lewis Tree Care for Dominion. They made the area in front of White Gables ugly and topped others on White Gables Drive, particularly one large tree that they made look like an “L”; trying to stop further butchering; request to tell Dominion that they don’t have the ability to prune trees to that extent. Mr. Wallace stated FEMA has determined the need to keep trees away from power lines or the Town will not receive emergency funding but agreed if the trees are pruned more than needed, it should be pursued. Jeff stated it should be pursued and questioned even if Federal laws. Mr. Sott stated he had worked for a power company for 39 years but that they should be following ANSI standards. Jeff is asking the TPB to participate in protecting the trees of Summerville. Mr. Sott stated the need to know the requirements and laws for this. ADJOURN: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:56 a.m. on a motion by Mr. Wallace and a second by Ms. Campbell. The motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Date: August 30, 2021 Bill Salisbury Arborist/Natural Resource Planner Approved: Kenny Sott, Chair _________________________________________; or, Faye Campbell, Vice Chair _________________________________________