vision2020
RE: mauled mall
In my opinion, the Mall management in Spokane violated both the tree
ordinance, and the mall development agreement between the UI and the City.
They didn't just do a little bit of "weeding".
What I witnessed last Sunday afternoon was not good. Using a backhoe,
contractors removed four dumptruck loads of shrubs and trees that were in
excellent condition (quince, dogwood, viburnum, oregon grape). They could
have been approved to do actual trimming through the ordinance, but
trimming is not what happened. Those trees and shrubs were removed. There
is also a question as to whether the contractor is licensed to do work in
compliance with the tree ordinance.
They made a big mistake on Sunday, and I frankly feel misled by the Mall
management in Spokane. Months ago, in a meeting set up to review plans for
their parking lot renovations, the Spokane manager specifically told me
that they would not remove the vegetation along the Highway. I was told
that the buffer strip would not be touched as part of the parking lot work.
I praised the Mall on the original designs that I saw.
In addition to violating the permit and the agreement, Spokane decision
makers also violated local trust and ruined perfectly good plants. Had I
know they would be removed, PCEI could have replanted most of those shrubs
in our stream restoration work. Yesterday, two of our staff members went
out to the landfill and were able to salvage about a pick-up load of
dogwood cuttings that we will put to good use.
Unfortunately, the Spokane decision has the potential of reflecting badly
on the local Mall management and businesses. The local businesses and the
marketing manager didn't have a part in last Sunday's work. Rather than
boycotting anyone, people should contact the city <griedner@moscow.com> and
request that the city enforce the ordinance. The Mall should be required
to replace the vegetation.
Tom
Thomas C. Lamar, Executive Director
=================================================
Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute
P O Box 8596; 112 West 4th St; Suite #1
Moscow ID 83843-1096
Phone (208)882-1444; Fax (208)882-8029
url: http://www.pcei.org
Please note our individual staff email addresses below:
Thomas C. Lamar, Executive Director: lamar@pcei.org
Laurie Gardes, Financial Manager: gardes@pcei.org
Sara Van Ormer, Office Manager: pcei@pcei.org
David Urban, Watersheds: urban@pcei.org
Robin Jenkinson, Watersheds: robin_jenkinson@hotmail.com
Chad Lammers, Watersheds assistant: lamm2673@uidaho.edu
Peggy Adams, Community Agriculture: adams@pcei.org
Ashley Martens, Environmental Education: martens@pcei.org
Jo Anne Johnson, Environmental Education, AmeriCorps: lilinoe@pcei.org
Jon Barrett, Idaho Smart Growth: smartgro@micron.net
Elaine Clegg, Idaho Smart Growth: eclegg@micron.net
Celebrating fourteen years of "connecting people, place and community".
=================================================
Back to TOC