OK, now what?

Almost unprecedented news coverage of the cutting of healthy sycamore trees in Willow Glen may result in some changes to the City’s approach to its urban forest. WGNA eList members continue to debate both the consequences that should be dealt to the current owners, to PMC Tree Service, and to J. Barnes Construction.

The Willow Glen Neighborhood Association has also jumped into action, convening a town meeting for this Sunday:

—– Forwarded Message —-

From: Ed Rast - San Jose
WGNA Commnity Meeting - Illegal Tree Removal -
Sunday, January 21, 2007 at 3-4:30 pm

Fellow Neighbors,

Willow Glen Neighborhood Association and Our City Forest will be holding a community meeting to discuss the recent illegal tree removal on Willow Street and proposed community or city actions to prevent future illegal tree removals on

Sunday, January 21, 2007 @ 3-4:30 pm
Willow Glen Baptist Church - 1292 Minnesota Av (Minnesota & Hicks)

City Council District 6 staff will be attending and we have invited city staff.

Council Member David Cortese has proposed revision of San Jose Municipal Code - Tree Ordinance which will come before City Council in 2-3 weeks.

Mayor Reed will be holding a Neighborhood Budget Priority Setting Meeting on Saturday morning at City Hall and WGNA will be asking for an increase in Code Enforcement staff and funding along with additional budget funding for traffic enforcement, parks, community centers and
street maintenace.

Ed

In an editorial, the SJ Mercury News presents its case for two things that a new ordinance should include:

One is eliminating any advantage to illegally cutting down a tree. Los Gatos and other cities require planting new trees in exactly the same places. Cortese and Reed both support this rule. Had it been in place, property owners Todd and Anita Holt of Tres Pinos would have had no incentive to remove the sycamores.

The other is holding contractors accountable, not only with fines but also by pulling business licenses and refusing them permits in the city. Violators of tree laws need to pay a serious price. If they don’t, the whole community pays the price with a less healthy environment.

As an aside, the WGNA eList is a great resource. EMail members were the first to report, helping WGx become the first to break the story on Saturday. The Mercury recognizes the value of the list, as several of its reporters and a member of the Editorial staff read and contribute regularly. The list has its faults, but it’s not the first time the Merc has praised the eList.