By a vote of 5-0, the HEP (Historical and Environmental Preservation) Board voted to decline the TreeWatch appeal in regards to the trees slated for replacement on Commodore Plaza as part of the BID's streetscape plan. Apparently they aren't for preserving trees.
Folks spoke on both sides of the issue. Liliana Dones, head of TreeWatch asked, "If the trees are so dangerous and in danger of falling on people, why are people sitting under them at street cafes daily?"
Ironically, former BID director, David Collins walked in with a huge bandage on his forehead. He fell on the broken bricks yesterday near Greenstreets. He has a concussion. This is not the first time that David has fallen on loose bricks. Which of course was an interesting point brought up by Liliana, the bricks are the problem, not the tree roots. Many areas of the village have bricks missing in the sidewalks, that are not even near trees.
But after two hours of discussion on both sides, it appears that the trees slated for replacement will be replaced.
"You're talking about the personality of the Grove," stated Santiago Villegas, of TreeWatch, talking about the large shade trees.
It all remains to be seen now what happens. Will the Grove survive without a large tree canopy? Will the new replacement trees be better and grow fast enough to give us a tree canopy like we have now?
While more than one person on the BID's side said that the roots were not the problem with the broken sidewalks, it left many to wonder why the trees are then being replaced.
The HEP Board today, who voted to deny the appeal were Hugh Ryan, Robert Grabosky, Gary Hecht, William Hopper and Jorge Kuperman.
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