Layton residents push back on tree removal plan, including paying city for half the cost

LAYTON — A city tree removal project that could cost more than $100,000 in Layton is sparking resident concerns.

Layton officials are planning to remove between 163 and 310 trees along the park strip at the Kay Creek Estates subdivision to improve sidewalk safety and they want residents to pay for half of the cost.

Several residents said they disagreed with the city's "one size fits all" approach and having to pay for something they don't want.

"These trees are part of our home. We've taken care of them for so long and to just take them out is hurtful," resident Gretchen Thomas said.

The tree-lined streets give the Kayscreek Estates subdivision part of its charm, but many of its 25-year-old trees, including honey locusts and pear blossoms, are on the chopping block.

"We want to have a chance to fix this ourselves, we love our trees. We've told them our concerns. If you get rid of these trees, what will happen to the value of the neighborhood? The sun will burn our yards up," said Ryan Langton, who also lives in the subdivision.

A closer look at some of the neighborhood's sidewalks highlights the city's safety concerns with roots breaking through the concrete and creating a tripping hazard.

"Some sidewalks do pose a safety problem, no one is doubting that," Langton said.

However, in several cases with minor damage, residents said they want the city to look for alternative solutions.

"My sidewalk for instance is only a quarter of an inch lifted on one side so why does my 30-year-old tree that I have cared for, nurtured, why does it have to come down?" Ashley Simmons said.

"There is this heavy-handed, 'Here's a letter, you're going to have your trees removed but don't worry we're going to do you a favor, you're going to pay half of that,'" Langton said.

During a November meeting, city officials said the proposal is "consistent" with the handling of similar issues in other areas. The city would cover repairs for 3,300 feet of damaged sidewalk, 260 feet of damaged curb and gutter, and to update 54 Americans with Disabilities Act ramps. However, residents would be responsible for half of the tree removal fees, which range from $380 for a small tree to $970 for a medium tree and $1,985 for a large tree.

Langton said he would need to pay to remove a medium-sized and a large tree, while other residents have as many as four medium to large-sized trees.

In addition to removing 163 trees that have caused damage, the city also determined that 147 trees "would probably cause damage within the next five years" and wants those trees removed as well. As an incentive, the city of Layton offered to pay half of the removal fee if residents opt in now. Those who wait will have to cover the costs on their own.

In a January letter sent to residents, the city gave residents the option to save money by removing most of the tree and only paying for the city's contractor to take out the stump, reflecting about a 50% savings.

"That'll cost me $500 but for me in this situation, I would rather spend that $500 in fixing my sidewalk, I would rather reinforce the sidewalk with rebar," said Simmons who said she would rather pay to fix the sidewalk in front of her home than be forced to remove her tree.

Once the trees are removed, residents will also be required to pay for and plant new trees from the city's "approved list."

"We think the main problem is that Layton city has come in and told us what to do and is solving the problem for us. We are homeowners and we wanted to have been included in a collaboration process," Thomas said. "Everything that we have brought to them … has been ignored."

According to a Jan. 16 letter sent to residents, the city plans to start removing the trees on April 1.

KSL reached out to city officials for information on their stance and will post an update if a response is received.

Related topics