Columbus reveals tree plan for Golden Park redevelopment days before land disturbance began
For months two, large public projects have been non-compliant with city tree ordinances that require a tree plan must be in place before demolition can begin on any project.
Just days before land disturbances began at the $50 million dollar Golden Park Minor League Baseball stadium redevelopment project, the city shared a tree plan with the Ledger-Enquirer that meets the ordinance requirements.
“This plan meets and satisfies the minimum requirements of the ordinance,” Dorothy McDaniel, Trees Columbus executive director, said in an email.
The plan is a large drawing showing 73 trees that will eventually be planted after construction is finalized.
Three weeks ago City Arborist, Eric Gansauer said 148 trees would be cut down for this project. After multiple attempts to reach Gansauer and the Director of Inspections and Codes, Ryan Pruett, the Ledger-Enquirer could not confirm if 148 trees are all of the trees at the park, or if some on the site will remain rooted.
It is not clear how many trees will be lost after the entire project is complete, only that 73 trees will be added to fulfill a tree density unit, TDU. The TDU is a formula that aims to replace trees using a credit system, but not at a one-for-one rate.
The TDU may be achieved by counting existing trees to be preserved, planting new trees, or combining preservation and new plantings, according to McDaniel.
“It would be nice to see a tree planted for every tree removed, but the ordinance does not require it,” she said.
The tree ordinance highlights details about the fulfilling TDU and other requirements per type of project. It varies on zoning and type of development.
The 73 trees include three species: summer red maple, tulip poplar, and ‘Princeton’ elm, all ranging in caliper size between four to six inches. Summer red maple is the most popular at 33 trees, which equates to 49.5 tree density units, or TDUs.
The Golden Park TDU requirement is 87. This tree plan says these 73 trees equate to a TDU of 89.5
Construction on the morning of, Wednesday, May 1 at Golden Park included the removal of concrete paving.
Members of Brasfield & Gorrie, the general contractor on the project, said the trees will start to come down sometime next week.
Judicial Center project still non-compliant
Unlike the Golden Park project, the Judicial Center tree plan is still breaking city ordinance with no tree plan in place to date. Tree removal began eight weeks ago and the ground-breaking ceremony was four weeks ago.
“An initial demolition plan for the current area under construction was previously submitted and approved prior to the land disturbance permit for that area being issued,” Pam Hodge, Deputy City Manager said in an email. “The plan has been submitted to the City and is under review.”
