While the intensity of concern may have weakened a bit, potential solutions continue to evolve in the story of the Sycamore Trees illegally felled from the corner of Camino Ricardo & Willow Street:

From the San Jose City Council: At the urging of Dave Cortese and now Nora Campos, the City Council will consider emergency changes to the current tree removal ordinances at its regular meeting on February 6 (online PDF agenda), primarily discussing Cortese’s memorandom from January 24:

Our common goal is for stronger tree preservation in San Jose. The City Council can demonstrate its commitment to this goal by providing initial oversight via the Transportation and Environment Committee … While the Committee works with staff and the public to improve current policies and put into place new ones, the City Clerk and City Attorney can research and report back on the idea of a new Urban Forestry Commission, which would serve as steward of the new and improved tree policies … the complete memo is available online in PDF)

From SJPD: San Jose Police Chief Rob Davis drew significant praise from members of the eList with an email he sent out clarifying the department’s plans for responses to future in-progress code violations. That email is added as a comment to this post.

From the WG Resident: In its January 26 edition (dated January 24 online), the paper provides the first significant public comments in defense of the home owners. Developer, friend, and neighbor of the Holt Family, J. Barnes explains: “Felled trees have residents out on a limb”

“They’re distraught,” said Barnes about the Holts, who have not commented on the incident.

Barnes acknowledges the Holts made a mistake. Barnes said the couple was unaware they needed a permit. Further, the city’s letter informing the Holts of the required permit wasn’t retrieved from a post office box in Trés Pinos until days after the trees were cut down, Barnes said. …

Barnes knew Holt was considering removing the trees, but did not know he planned to hire a company on Jan. 13 or remove them without a permit. He became involved in the home’s construction only after the trees were felled.

San Jose code enforcement administrator Jamie Matthews said he is “very satisfied [Barnes] was not involved with the illegal tree removal.”

As the furor over the tree removals heightened, Barnes was compelled to get involved and defend his friend, he said.

Many people still believe the Holts pursued the tree removal knowing it was illegal. If they were unclear on the tree’s permit status, why were they searching for a service to remove the trees specifically on a Saturday, as originally reported in WGx and on the WGNA eList?

The weekly newspaper also suffered from unfortunate timing, as it shifted its publication schedule the week the trees were cut. But a recent editorial encourages better communication and education about trees in the city:

The city’s help in funding workshops and classes that would educate residents in becoming good tree stewards is a start. In addition, San Jose officials need to develop a program that teaches utility company workers proper pruning techniques, because these businesses leave a trail of destruction on city streets.

Willow Glen may have lost three old trees, but turning them into sawdust won’t be wasted if it generates greater awareness and strengthens our regulations and policies so future trees remain rooted in their heritage.

Recent WGx posts in Local Impact

Recent WGx posts in SJ District 6

Recent WGx posts in Sycamore Trees RIP

Recent WGx posts in WGx Updates