PSE has submitted this permit application to cut down about 70 trees and additional laurels, hydrangeas and other plants, replace about 39 utility poles, and prune and trim 800-900 trees, shrubs and plants in Medina, for power-line purposes. (As trees grow, PSE prunes and removes and replaces trees with more appropriate vegetation under and near the power lines, to help ensure reliable power throughout Medina.)
The highest impact will be to trees, plants and properties along Overlake Drive, Evergreen Point Road, and 84th, including two properties on Overlake Drive who each have 11 trees tagged for removal.
Look at this two-page map and list to see whether your property is scheduled for tree removal/trimming by Asplundh & PSE.
- White ribbons (which may or may not have polka-dots) identify the 70 trees that will be cut down.
- Orange ribbons identify the 100+ trees, shrubs, etc., to be trimmed.
If you have any questions or concerns at all, please submit your comments in writing by 5pm on April 1, 2016, to the City's consultant, Tom Early, at tom.early@otak.com or Robert Grumbach at rgrumbach@medina-wa.gov.
The City posted notices announcing the tree trimming/removal at six locations around the City, and mailed out about 900 letters to affected homes, sent notice by e-gov to those who signed up, and posted a notice on the City's website.
We have been assured that Tom Early, the City's arborist, and PSE, will reach out directly to the property owners where tree removal is being proposed.
This first public comment period runs through April 1, 2016. Soon, the public hearing for PSE's hearing will be scheduled, and the affected homeowners will be sent a second notice, at least 15 days before the hearing in front of the Hearing Examiner. We expect that the hearing will take place either in April or May.
Please be sure to submit your comments by or prior April 1st, so that your comments will be a part of the record and will be taken into consideration by the hearing examiner, and so that the City staff can follow-up with you directly.
NOTE: Some residents who were unhappy with the prior work of Asplundh & PSE are hiring their own arborists and gardeners (who must be certified to work near power lines) to remove/trim their trees and shrubs. If you'd like to discuss this option, please contact Tom Early, at tom.early@otak.com or Robert Grumbach at rgrumbach@medina-wa.gov.