Story posted Thursday, January 21, 2010
Residents Upset Over Tree Trimming, But Village Says Area Needed It
Residents of the Courts of Windsor told the Arlington Hts. Village Board Tuesday that the recent removal of trees in a village-owned wooded area near their homes has done irreversible damage to the area.
"I am sick," said resident Sheryl Hogan. "I have to keep my blinds closed. I've been crying for the past week because of destruction to that wooded area.
"I feel like I have been violated."
Her husband, Richard Hogan, president of the Courts of Windsor Townhouse Association on Windsor Drive near Rand Road and Dryden Avenue, said the trees screened the view of a rental property and the 1-acre area was now unsightly.
But village officials said the tree trimming was necessary.
"We left all the healthy trees," said Director of Public Works Scott Shirley. "The trees that were removed were either dead or dying trees as identified by the city forester."
He said the village often gets complaints when trimming is done but it doesn't take long for the foliage to return.
"This will grow back," Shirley said.
Further, Shirley said there were reports of teenagers and homeless people hanging out in the wooded area, which could lead to problems.
"If some kids are out there — legitimately or not — and a branch falls on them we are liable," he said.
Shirley said he was in contact with a member of the homeowner's association board who requested the trimming. However, Richard Hogan said that person was only requesting that limbs overhanging residents' property be trimmed.
He said he would communicate better with residents prior to future tree trimmings.
Board members said they wanted to see how the area grew out in the spring before taking any action, such as replanting.
"Looking at these pictures it's just really hard to say in what direction we should go," Trustee John Scaletta said.
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