12/06/2024
I have to commend my clients. We were hired to design a nice little detached structure in their rear yard in downtown Burlington. The construction of this new structure meant the removal of a 15+ year old Beech tree which my client had planted when they moved into the house. We decided to have the tree spaded and replanted in a tree farm in north Burlington so that it could continue its life. Even though the cost and work involved was substantially more than just cutting the tree down, as can be seen by these photos, it was very important to my client not to destroy them (they also spaded a beautiful Japanese Maple and relocated 10 other small bushes and plants on the property…not loosing a single plant).
Being the proper consultant (oh dear…opening myself up on that comment!), I commented that I would check with the City to ensure there were no issues with this, I mean, what possibly could the city have a problem with? We are saving the trees, everyone should be happy….right? Wrong. Despite the great expense my client went to, the City still wanted a tree removal permit along with its associated fees AND cash in lieu because they determined we were destroying the trees. Does this seem fair to you? Leave me a comment….I want to make sure I am not the only one that believes this is counter intuitive. The city penalizes you for removing a tree in their Forestry permit process. Should they reward you or incentivize you for saving trees or planting more than you have to?
Maybe rewarding developers, designers and contractors for being more conscientious of the designs they create and build to take the landscape and trees into account will make them second guess bulldozing and clear cutting lots…..am I dreaming?
meedward
