Title/Name/Summary
Tree Mitigation Account - 142nd Street Parkway Trees
History
QUICKFACTS
Project
142nd Street Parkway Trees
Purpose
To install new street trees within the 142nd Street parkways east of the intersection with John Humphrey Drive.
Requested Actions: Tree Mitigation Account Expenditure
Project Attributes
Number of Trees: 14
Tree Species: Maples and Lindens
Cost: $165 per tree
OVERVIEW AND BACKGROUND
In 2008, the Village Board approved revisions to Section 6-305.1 Tree Preservation Standards of the Land Development Code to provide for a Tree Mitigation Account. This account provides a “cash in lieu” option for landowners and developers who are unable to meet the Village’s tree mitigation requirements on their property. Cash in lieu is only available as an option for mitigation with the approval of the Development Services Department.
The funds of this account are to be used per the Tree Mitigation Account Policy approved by the Board of Trustees on August 1, 2011, which included the following guidelines:
- Tree Mitigation Funds should be used primarily in areas that would normally not get trees. The funds cannot be used to fund capital improvement projects that would require trees and/or mitigation trees per LDC. Examples of potential projects include - parkway tree plantings, tree plantings in completed parks, tree plantings around detention ponds or in other public spaces.
- Parkway tree projects are only eligible if they meet the following criteria:
o Project size must be a minimum of one block or similar dimension stretch of right of way.
o Priority will be given to streets that have either lost over 50% of parkway trees or never had parkway trees.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION & CONTEXT
The Development Services Department submitted the attached request to provide parkway trees on 142nd Street in the Heritage subdivision. The one block segment of 142nd Street between John Humphrey Drive and Charleston Drive has a higher traffic volume than is normal for a residential setting. Adding parkway trees where none were ever installed will help to buffer the residences from the local congestion. Details of the project request are outlined in the attached document.
The trees to be installed will be a mix of maple and linden trees. On the north side of 142nd Street, the homeowners association of the Heritage Townhomes has accepted the proposed installation of parkway trees along their 142nd Street frontage. The south parkways of 142nd Street abut open agricultural land.
Per the Tree Mitigation Account Policy, all tree mitigation projects must be approved by the Village Board.
DISCUSSION
The Tree Mitigation Account (account # 010-0000-223100) currently has a balance of $113,442.50. The proposed project will cost approximately $2,425.50, which includes a 5% cost contingency ($2,310 x .05).
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES AND PLANNING COMMITTEE MOTION
On April 16, 2012, the Development Services and Planning Committee, by a vote of 3-0 moved to recommend to the Village Board of Trustees to approve the tree mitigation project for fourteen (14) new parkway trees on 142nd Street for an amount not to exceed $2,425.50 via the Tree Mitigation Account (account # 010-0000-223100).
This case is now before the Village Board of Trustees for review/approval.
Recommended Action/Motion
I move to approve the tree mitigation project for fourteen (14) new parkway trees on 142nd Street for an amount not to exceed $2,425.50 via the Tree Mitigation Account (account # 010-0000-223100).