HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 09B_SP-19-02_435 Dorset St_Champlain Housing Trust_plans
T.J. Boyle Associates | 301 College Street • Burlington VT 05401 | www.tjboyle.com
MEMORANDUM
To: Chip Patullo
From: Jeremy B. Owens
Date: March 14, 2019
Re: Dorset Commons – Tree Removal Review
Per your request, I visited the Dorset Commons development on March 12, 2019, to review the existing tree
conditions and the proposed tree removal plan. Because it was the winter season at the time of my visit, I also
reviewed some images of the property that were taken during leaf-on conditions. These leaf-on images depict the
various perennials that exist around the main residential buildings.
While at the site I noted that many of the trees marked for removal were very close to the existing buildings or in
questionable health. I also noted several co-dominant white pines on the site; these pines may eventually cause
safety or damage hazards tend to break in high winds. Several large limbs had fallen from the oak and maple trees
throughout the site. Mature oak trees routinely drop limbs throughout the year and this can be a safety hazard and
maintenance issue, and sugar maples can sometimes develop dead limbs for various reasons.
Included in this memo are a few photographs depicting the types of conditions I observed at the site. I have also
prepared two rendered plans that help to illustrate (1) the existing tree conditions, and (2) the proposed conditions
after removal. Additionally, the leaf-on image below shows that the aesthetics of the site are not necessarily a
significant concern due to the presence of perennial plantings around the buildings.
You may be interested to know that Dorset Commons is not the only local housing development to be faced with
the issue of mature tree maintenance and safety concerns. I was contacted in early 2018 by Cathedral Square to
review the proposed removal of mature trees at their Whitcomb Woods development in Essex, Vermont. Their
property was suffering from extensive and repetitive damage to their buildings due to deferred removal of large
trees, which were located proximity to five similarly-sized residential buildings. For that site, Cathedral Square
needed to remove more than 50 mature trees to avoid further safety and damage hazards that the trees presented to
their buildings and residents.
Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.
Dorset Commons – Tree Removal Review Memo Page 2 of 4
T.J. Boyle Associates | 301 College Street • Burlington VT 05401 | www.tjboyle.com
Typical image taken during leaf-on conditions showing perennial growth around building foundations.
Example large tree proximity to existing building.
Dorset Commons – Tree Removal Review Memo Page 3 of 4
T.J. Boyle Associates | 301 College Street • Burlington VT 05401 | www.tjboyle.com
Two examples of large falling branches that typically occur under oak trees during windy weather.
Dorset Commons – Tree Removal Review Memo Page 4 of 4
T.J. Boyle Associates | 301 College Street • Burlington VT 05401 | www.tjboyle.com
Example of falling branch safety hazard near a patio and tree proximity to a utility pad.
Example of woodpecker damage to maple tree.
revisionsdaterevisions date301 college street burlington vermont 05401 802 658 3555landscape architects planning consultantshttp://www.tjboyle.comnorthscaledrawn bydatesheet no:Tree Survey - ExistingDorset Commons ApartmentsL-110jbo03-14-2019Champlain Housing Trust88 King StreetBurlington, Vermont1" = 50'T. J. Boyle and Associatesdesign bynachecked byjboExisting TreeLocations
revisionsdaterevisions date301 college street burlington vermont 05401 802 658 3555landscape architects planning consultantshttp://www.tjboyle.comnorthscaledrawn bydatesheet no:Tree Survey - ProposedDorset Commons ApartmentsL-111jbo03-14-2019Champlain Housing Trust88 King StreetBurlington, Vermont1" = 50'T. J. Boyle and Associatesdesign bynachecked byjboProposed TreeLocationsDUMPSTER AREASTO BE ENCLOSED(IN BLUE)