Work on revising tree ordinance bears fruit

By Travis Gulbrandson

travis.gulbrandson@plaintalk.net

The first reading of Vermillions revised tree ordinance was met with unanimous approval by the city council last week.

The meeting held April 21 marked the third time the city council had discussed the ordinance, which has not been revised since 1989.

Parks & Recreation Director Jim Goblirsch said the ordinance will illustrate the guidelines regarding the trees that can and cannot be planted on boulevards, as well as safety concerns.

Were looking down the road so we dont run into issues where we have everybody plant one species of tree, and all of a sudden if we get a disease in that species, then it wipes out a lot of trees in the community, Goblirsch said.

This is an ordinance not only for today, but to help shape Vermillions future for tomorrow, he said.

Rather than a complete revision of the previous ordinance, the version read last week is an update to better serve the citys current utility location trends, tree placement, safety, community aesthetics as well as addressing nuisance vegetation, a council agenda memo reads.

During the April 21 meeting, a citizen asked about approved versus non-approved trees, as well as whether permits would be required each time a tree particularly those bearing fruit is planted.

Forestry Division Parks Superintendent Aaron Baedke said the list of non-approved trees will be very small, probably three or four.

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Work on revising tree ordinance bears fruit