Tree talk continues tonight

• By Diane Chiddister
• Published: August 6, 2012

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A discussion on the proposed downtown streetscape changes, including removing the Bradford pear trees and replacing them with different trees, will continue at the Village Council meeting tonight, Aug. 6. The streetscape discussion is the second opportunity for villagers to weigh in on the issue, and Council will not be voting at this time. The earliest an official Council action could take place would be the following meeting, on Monday, Aug. 20.

The streetscape renovations, which also include repairing sidewalks, replacing streetlights, burying wires and adding more bicycle parking, has been a controversial topic in town for about the last month, with most of the discord revolving around the issue of taking down the trees.

About 30 villagers met on Saturday, Aug. 4 at the Emporium for a dialogue on the topic, sponsored by that business. Representatives of the Yellow Springs Tree Committee repeated their assertion that the Bradford pears, which are almost 40 years old, need to go, due to their advanced age, their destructive effects on sidewalks and the fact that they are an invasive species that threatens Glen Helen.

Those who oppose the proposed renovations, while agreeing that dangerous sidewalks should be replaced, urged Council members to think more creatively about changing the downtown look, and especially to replace the pear trees gradually rather than all at once. Some encouraged Council to select solar-powered streetlamps rather than those being considered.

The Monday Council meeting takes place at 7 p.m. For a more detailed story on the meeting and the Saturday event, see the Aug. 9 Yellow Springs News.

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