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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Removal of trees along Welch Avenue and Lincoln Way RESOLUTION NO. 14-160 RESOLUTION APPROVING REMOVAL OF TREES ALONG LINCOLN WAY AND WELCH AVENUE FOR THE CITY OF AMES,IOWA WHEREAS, City staff was approached about the trees surrounding the Kingland Systems property and the need for these to be removed to accommodate the construction of the new building; and, WHEREAS,the first phase would remove six trees on Lincoln Way and three trees on Welch Avenue, and the second phase is the removal of an additional three trees on Welch Avenue; and, WHEREAS, the process for removing a street tree is contained in Section 27.3 of the Municipal Code,and if a tree is not being removed due to being a clear and present danger,then City staff must follow the procedure outlined in this section of the Code; and, WHEREAS, this section requires that the tree be posted for 15 days, during which citizens can file a written objection to the removal with the City Manager; if no objections are received,the City Manager can then cause the trees to be removed; and, WHEREAS,however,if an objection is filed,then a hearing is held before the City Council; the Council can sustain the objection, or can cause the trees to be removed if deemed to be in the City's best interest; and, WHEREAS,the trees proposed for removal were posted in accordance with this ordinance; a date was set to receive objections, and a written objection was received on the removal of these trees; and, WHEREAS,the demolition and future construction of the Kingland building foundation will require excavation to occur to near the curb line adjacent to the Kingland property; and, WHEREAS, one of the concerns raised was that any vaults that had been filled in under the existing sidewalk would need to be completely removed in order to accommodate the new foundation; and, WHEREAS,heavy construction equipment will be used to accomplish this work in limited space; and, WHEREAS, this and the subsequent above-ground construction activities will negatively impact the trees even if they are not removed at this time; and, WHEREAS, trees are a valuable resource and the cited Municipal Code section is in place to protect this resource; however, the amount of impact from construction excavation will likely impact the trees negatively, which will likely result in dead and/or hazardous trees; and, WHEREAS, it is important to note the site development plan has not been approved, so the site development plan approval process could provide an opportunity to re-establish trees or other appropriate landscaping to offset the loss of the existing trees. NOW, THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED,by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa, that removal of the trees posted as "Phase I Removals" in accordance with Municipal Code Section 27.3 is hereby approved,and City staff is hereby directed to explore replacement of the trees as part of the site plan approval process. ADOPTED THIS 25th day of March, 2014. C16a I'lia& � Diane R. Voss, City Clerk Ann H. Campbell, Mayor Introduced by: Orazem Seconded by: Corrieri Voting aye: Betcher, Corrieri, Gartin, Goodman,Nelson, Orazem Voting nay: None Absent: None Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 251h day of March, 2014.