What's Happening in Dublin, OH…

Dublin officials are considering rewording the policy used to determine tree variances, according to an article in the Dublin Villager.

In 2001, the city passed a fee-waiver policy with regard to removing trees. It hoped to encourage developers to manage trees effectively and not impose huge costs on them if they did decide to remove trees from a project.

When deciding whether or not a developer needs to pay a fee to remove a tree or trees, the city considers whether or not the site is being developed to applicable standards, and what measures have been taken to lessen the impact of construction on trees growing on the site.

The difficulties arise because the criteria used to determine whether or not to waive fees are subjective and ill-defined, according to Councilwoman Christina Alutto. She believes making the language more precise could help developers understand what is expected of them, adding that trying to determine whether or not a developer is making an effort “feels a little bit squishy.”

The issue came to the forefront when developers recently requested a waiver for the residential development called Hawthorne Commons. If the council does not take up the matter this year, Alutto said, it could add it to its goal-setting session, which will take place early next year.

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