Town Square

$150 to protest cutting of heritage tree????

Original post made by Crane St. resident, Menlo Park: Downtown, on Oct 13, 2011

We got a notice yesterday that the town arborist plans to cut a giant heritage tree on our street, Crane, and the town requires $150 to appeal? That seems outragious.

2 other giant beautiful trees were chopped down earlier this year with no notice that I saw (though it could have been hidden in the volumes of junk mail).

While I'm no arborist, these all appear(ed) to be healthy, long living trees and I really want proof that this tree is a danger before yet another heritage tree is chopped down. This needs to stop.

Is there a way to appeal without $150?

Comments (2)

Posted by Yep
a resident of Menlo Park: Suburban Park/Lorelei Manor/Flood Park Triangle
on Oct 13, 2011 at 10:32 pm

we also got one on our street on the other side of town. The $150 fee was put in place by council members Winkler and Duboc who wanted to change the name of the Heritage Tree Ordinance "The Heritage Twig Ordinance." Trees can be cut down easily now since the fee is so high. $150 to have the Environmental Quality Commissioners (all volunteers) make a decision based on the ordinance.

This is why it's important to vet candidates for the City Council.

Bottom line: No, there's nothing you can do. Ask the City to produce the arborist's report.

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Posted by Central Menlo
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Nov 3, 2011 at 6:19 pm

The permit application for tree removal is $135 and $150 to appeal to the Environmental Quality Commission. Appeals to the EQC's decision can be made to the City Council. Look around and you'll see many, many trees posted for removal. Menlo Park: Tree City.

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$150 to protest cutting of heritage tree????

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