North Cook News

City of Park Ridge Special Committee of the Whole met September 17. 

Here is the minutes as provided by the committee:

I. Roll Call

Mayor Maloney called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

City Clerk Henneman read the roll call and the following Elected Officials indicated their presence at the meeting: Aldermen Moran, Milissis, Wilkening, Shubert, Melidosian, Mazzuca and Joyce. There was a quorum.

II. Public Comment

      Sandy Deines, 1512 Tyrell, commented on the Tree Preservation Ordinance.

      Rob Bowe, 808 Shibley, commented on Park Ridge preserving this property.

      Steve Carlin, 412 North Rose, commented on the value of oak trees.

      Jack Barnette, 1847 Norman, commented on his love of the trees at 819 Busse.

III. Public Works

      A. Action Items

           1. Forestry Appeal at 819 Busse Highway

Mayor Maloney stated that in accordance with city code he had disclosed to the City Attorney that in 2017 he had received a campaign contribution from a person who had an interest in these proceedings and therefore would not be participating in this discussion.

Alderman Milissis made a motion to open the public hearing on the forestry appeal at 819 Busse Highway, seconded by Alderman Joyce. Motion passed, 7/0, by voice vote.

City Attorney Tappendorf detailed the appeal and the process, noting that this is the final decision making body.

Jeralyn Baron, representing the owner of 819 Busse, distributed photos and a new report on tree density. She detailed the applicant’s appeal, noting that the trees pose a danger and lack structural integrity. She commented on the community’s vitriol towards 819 Busse LLC and that this property is not a park and is zoned commercial. She provided a history of the property and previous tree removals. She outlined the findings of various inspections done by arborists, hired by 819 Busse LLC, on these trees. Based on the findings of the most recent testing, 819 Busse LLC is now only appealing tree #’s 5, 7, 13 and 14. September 10, 2018.

Bill Thompson, a certified arborist and tree care professional with Trees R Us, detailed his evaluation of the trees with sonic tomography and findings on the trees at this location.

Discussion ensued on testing procedures.

City Forester Naser addressed the ADA compliance issue and puddling of water on the property as well as test results that were submitted by the applicant. He summarized staff’s inspection of the trees noting that the Municipal Code protects against discretionary removal of protected trees on private property. Forestry staff reviewed the opinions provided by the owner’s three consultants and concluded that two of the three reports had similar assessments to staff’s with a majority of the trees being in good or fair condition. Based on staff’s assessment of the trees, and two of the reports provided by the property owner, the remaining trees did not qualify for removal and their removal was denied.

City Attorney Tappendorf detailed the procedure for voting.

Alderman Mazzuca asked that tree #14 be discussed separately, Alderman Milissis agreed.

Motion by Alderman Joyce, seconded by Alderman Shubert to grant the appeal for trees #5, 7, and 13 at 819 Busse.

      Appeal was denied on the removal of trees #5, 7 and 13, 7/0, by roll call vote.

Discussion ensued on the removal of tree #14 with Aldermen requesting more information of the testing results.

Motion by Alderman Milissis, seconded by Alderman Joyce to grant the appeal for tree #14 at 819 Busse.

      Appeal was denied on the removal of tree #14, 5/2, by roll call vote with Aldermen Milissis and Mazzuca being the aye votes.

IV. Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m.

https://docs.google.com/gview?url=https%3A%2F%2Fparkridge.granicus.com%2FDocumentViewer.php%3Ffile%3Dparkridge_693af457ce65ccc08436e42754338b69.pdf%26view%3D1&embedded=true