Let's SAVE THE DOUGLAS fir on SE Ellis and 142nd
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Some of us neighbors went to the Portland City Council Hearing to appeal to save this tree (and others) in October, with 75 co-signatures from fellow neighbors. In response to our request to save this tree, the developer stated that PBOT ordered the tree’s removal for the sake of the extension of 142nd Ave. The city has since approved the plan so we can’t appeal again. But…We contacted PBOT to verify the developer’s claim, and discovered that the developer had lied- that to remove this tree was never a requirement by PBOT. We can only guess the developer plans to cut this tree down for profit.
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Looking at the developer's site plan, it’s obvious they have space to build one (of their 36 or so) new houses just a number of feet further south on it’s lot, allowing this tree to remain standing. And the tree is far enough away from the future extension of 142nd street edge to remain standing, as PBOT assures us. If enough of us put pressure on the developer to keep the tree, they might listen. Let’s call, email, and let them know we strongly wish this tree to be allowed to live. Let’s keep our neighborhood beautiful and stand up for the legacy of this tree which has probably been standing longer than most of us have been alive.
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The developer’s name is Ante Scoro. He told us in person at the hearing that he cares about trees, so let’s hold him to his word. Now we know his original reason for cutting the tree down was ‘misinformation’, we don’t see why he can’t save this significant Douglas Fir tree on Ellis St near 142nd Ave. Let’s contact him and ask kindly that he preserve it.
Call Ante Scoro: 503.267.3852 Email: [email protected]
Mail: PO Box 2885 Clackamas, OR 97015
Call Ante Scoro: 503.267.3852 Email: [email protected]
Mail: PO Box 2885 Clackamas, OR 97015
The Douglas Fir as seen from SE Ellis St.
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The Douglas Fir as seen from a private home on SE Insley St.
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See below: Ante Skoro's plan for the lot containing the 36 or so approved houses. The circle with the yellow is where the Douglas Fir in question stands. Note that we had to draw it in as they didn't include it in their plan because they are planning to cut it down. You can see that the house they plan to build there could be built just a number of feet south to allow the tree to remain standing.
Quoting Andrew Gallahan from PBOT in an email sent on 11/4/19
Hello Mirabai & Aszita,
I am the Urban Forestry Tree Inspector who reviewed the cases for; the Public Works Permit 18-237731 WT – TB0079, the Early Assistance 18-120149 EA, and the Land Use Permit 18-228103 LU. At no time did we review this tree as a right-of-way or street tree. We found it to be fully a private tree. So, we did not require or permit the removal of the tree and we certainly would support preservation and protection of this significant tree.
Quoting Robert Haley from PBOT from an email sent to us on 11/4/19:
Mirabai
My name is Bob Haley and I was the PBOT planner assigned this land division. PBOT did not require the large Doug Fir to be removed. It is outside of the public right-of-way and subject to Title 33 and possible Title 11 requirements, not Title 17 which requires frontage improvements. If the City Forester believes the frontage improvements may significantly impact the root system, they can bring their concerns to the PBOT public works engineer assigned this permit. I’ve copied both in this email. If necessary to preserve the tree, the frontage improvement may be modified. In this case, it may be possible to change the standard sidewalk corridor within the root zone to a curb tight sidewalk reducing the encroachment into the root zone. The applicant simply has to ask for a Public Works Alternative Review.
See below, the PBOT's image of the plan with notes regarding the Douglas Fir in question as sent by Robert Haley via email on 11/54/19.
Hello Mirabai & Aszita,
I am the Urban Forestry Tree Inspector who reviewed the cases for; the Public Works Permit 18-237731 WT – TB0079, the Early Assistance 18-120149 EA, and the Land Use Permit 18-228103 LU. At no time did we review this tree as a right-of-way or street tree. We found it to be fully a private tree. So, we did not require or permit the removal of the tree and we certainly would support preservation and protection of this significant tree.
Quoting Robert Haley from PBOT from an email sent to us on 11/4/19:
Mirabai
My name is Bob Haley and I was the PBOT planner assigned this land division. PBOT did not require the large Doug Fir to be removed. It is outside of the public right-of-way and subject to Title 33 and possible Title 11 requirements, not Title 17 which requires frontage improvements. If the City Forester believes the frontage improvements may significantly impact the root system, they can bring their concerns to the PBOT public works engineer assigned this permit. I’ve copied both in this email. If necessary to preserve the tree, the frontage improvement may be modified. In this case, it may be possible to change the standard sidewalk corridor within the root zone to a curb tight sidewalk reducing the encroachment into the root zone. The applicant simply has to ask for a Public Works Alternative Review.
See below, the PBOT's image of the plan with notes regarding the Douglas Fir in question as sent by Robert Haley via email on 11/54/19.
If you have any questions, please contact Mirabai Peart, neighbor and champion for this tree.
