As Required by Chapter 451, Section 23-59 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a virtual public hearing was held on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 1 p.m. to address the 34 trees that were posted for removal (April 7 & 14, 2021) at Greenwich High School as there were appeals objecting their removal received within ten days of the tree postings. The request for removal was made by the Board of Education as part of the Cardinal Stadium installation project.
The number of trees, species, and Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) measured in inches requested for removal are as follows:
- (4) Japanese Falsecypress (Acer palmatum), DBH of 23 inches (Not shown in the landscape plan)
- (2) London Plane (Plantanus x acerifolia), DBH of 20 and 18 inches
- (11) Norway Maples (Acer platanoides), DBH of 29, 19, 18, 18, 18, 11, 9, 8, 8, 6, and 3 inches
- (3) White Mulberry (Morus alba), DBH of 27, 20, and 13 inches
- (1) White Spruce (Picea glauca), DBH of 9 inches
- (4) Sugar Maples (Acer saccharum), DBH of 42, 13, 13, and 9 inches
- (3) Japanese Yews (Taxus cuspidate), DBH of 29, 24, and 20 inches
- (5) White Fir (Abies concolor), DBH of 28, 28, 27, 23, and 17 inches
On the day of the hearing, Russell Davidson, President of Kaeyer, Garment and Davidson Architects states for the record that 13 trees would not need to be removed for the current phase of the construction project. This would bring the number of trees requested for removal to 21 trees.
After careful consideration and having listened objectively to the facts and opinions presented by all parties, I have ruled in the following manner on the posted trees listed above and referenced again below:
It is my decision and have concluded that the following trees shall remain;
- (2) London Plane (Plantanus x acerifolia) consisting of a Diameter of Breast Height (DBH) 20 and 18 inches located along Putnam Avenue
“Upon further discussions with Mr. Russell Davidson, President of Kaeyer, Garment and Davidson Architects and the information pertaining to public safety presented to the Tree Warden, the previous ruling to save the (2) London Plane (Plantanus x acerifolia) DBH of 20 and 18 inches will now be granted permission for removal. The decision to grant the (2) London Plane tree removals is based upon International Fire Code Chapter 5, paragraph 503.3.1. Dimension, and the inability within the given land area to design around the existing trees.”
All of the remaining previous rulings shall remain the same.
The trees residing in the proposed rain garden (infrastructural improvements) location; (3) Japanese Falsecypress (Cedar), (Chamaecyparis pisifera) DBH 20, 18, and 13 inches, (1) Norway Maple (Acer platanoides) DBH 18 inches, and (1) Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) DBH 23 inches.
For a total sum of five (5) trees.
Additional twelve trees have been approved for removal as part of the A.D.A. Acess and Parking, the trees approved are as follows:
- (2) Japanese Jews (Taxus cuspidate), DBH of 24 and 20 inches.
- (1) Japanese Falsecypress (Cedar) (Chamaecyparis pisifera) DBH of 20 inches.
- (1) White Mulberry (Morus alba), DBH of 20 inches.
- (2) Sugar Maples (Acer saccharum), DBH of 42 and 13 inches.
- (5) Norway Maples (Acer platanoides), DBH of 29, 18, 18, 18, and 11 inches
- (1) White Fir (Abies concolor), DBH of 28 inches
For a total of 12 trees
However, trees approved for removal will only be granted to the Board of Education with the agreement that upon replanting, tree numbers will be doubled the current design requirement of 34 trees; this would equal a total of 68 trees of a size no less than a 2-inch caliper with the species to be determined at the discretion of the Tree Warden. Additionally, the Tree Warden requests an overall comprehensive landscape improvement plan that enhances the areas after construction.
Note:
(1) London Plane Tree (Plantanus x acerifolia) DBH 20 inches on Putnam Avenue is on State property and was not posted or part of the tree hearing, however is shown for removal on the plan
(2) Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) DBH 12 and 18 inches along Putnam Avenue are on State property and were not part of the tree hearing, however is shown as removals on the plan.
This is the final decision of the Tree Warden of the Town of Greenwich. Let it be known that Chapter 451, Section 23-59 of the Connecticut General Statutes states “the Tree Warden shall render his/her decision granting or denying the application, and the party aggrieved by such decision may, within ten days, appeal therefrom to the superior court or the judicial district within which such town or borough is located.
This decision will be posted in the lobby of the offices of the Parks and Recreation Department located on the 2nd floor of the Town Hall, the lobby of Town Hall, the Town Clerk’s office, and the Town of Greenwich website www.greenwichct.gov/AgendaCenter Parks & Recreation – Public Tree Hearing. It will also be sent to the persons present at the Public Hearing and to those who appealed the posting of these trees for removal.
As your Tree Warden, by Connecticut statute, I am charged with the “care and control” of all Town-owned trees. The Tree Division doesn’t take this responsibility lightly. Each and every tree slated for removal is inspected and decided on a case-by-case basis.
Dr. Gregory Kramer
Superintendent of Parks and Trees and Tree Warden
Town of Greenwich – Department of Parks and Recreation
