Tree lopping protested
Large spruce cut to make way for development
By GREG STAHL
Express Staff Writer
Ketchum lost some of its old neighbors last week when
eight full-grown spruce trees were cut down on a corner lot across from
Atkinsons’ Market.
The lot’s owners, 440 East Corp., are drafting plans to
develop a commercial building on the property. Five mature trees were left
standing.
Several of Ketchum’s most prominent
trees were removed last week to make way for eventual development of a
downtown lot. Express photo by Willy Cook
Removal of the trees upset some local residents, but
apparently none more than Cody Walden.
Walden is president of the Heartwood Foundation, a
nonprofit organization that promotes forest preservation and environmental
education.
"These trees are a valuable asset to the residents
and guests of the city of Ketchum," he wrote in a letter to Ketchum
city administrator Jim Jaquet. "I believe that I speak for the
majority of our community when I express that development in the city
should not ignore the value and aesthetics that historical trees have to
us residents."
Jaquet, in an interview, said there’s little the city
could have done.
"We have no ordinance that prevents a property owner
from taking out trees," he said.
Once a developer files for city approval of development
plans, the planning and zoning commission can mandate what trees can be
removed, but before plans are filed, the city is out of the loop.
Ketchum City Council members promised Walden during an
April meeting that they would look into the issue.
Ketchum Councilman Randy Hall said in an interview he
would like to see a tree ordinance drafted that institutes a no-net-loss
policy.
"Obviously you can’t replace a 50-year-old
tree," he said, adding that perhaps mitigation for lost trees could
be required.
The city council did not specify when it would look into
the issue again.