Bridgewood HOA Tree/Sidewalk Committee

Agenda Current status of trees Current status of sidewalks County requirements Possible options Recommendations Future Action

Current Status of Trees Arborist Report All of the Liquidambar trees (Sweetgum) need to be replaced they will grow to about 100’ tall and several feet at the base There is not sufficient room for them to reach maturity and will continue to damage the hardscape (sidewalks, not the streets) Several Flowering Cherry trees also need to be replaced to prevent further hardscape and or utilities damage Most of the Cherry trees are OK, these trees will not grow much more and are considered mature

Current Status of Sidewalks Numerous sidewalk sections are damaged Some have been ground/cut Some are too damaged to make serviceable (even after grinding/cutting…in some cases) Even in some locations without obvious tree roots, the sidewalks are raised or cracked Average lifespan of concrete sidewalks is 10-20 years maximum

County Requirements According to the Pierce County Planning Department “The community must abide by the original plat (must have sidewalks and trees) but other than that they will not mandate materials, you can use any materials you wish as long as they are ADA compliant” All streets in Bridgewood must have sidewalks down one side that are ADA-compliant All streets in Bridgewood must have trees lining them, since that was the original plan The number of trees is still to be determined (i.e., spacing), but is likely specified in the plat map ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act

Possible Options - Sidewalks HOA replaces all affected sidewalks (Reserve fund or special assessment) HOA replaces all sidewalks (Reserve fund or special assessment) Individual homeowners pay to replace sidewalks on their property Materials: Replace concrete with concrete Replace concrete with product like “RubberWay” permeable sidewalks Quarter-round gravel not ADA-compliant

Possible Options - Trees HOA has all sweetgums and designated cherry trees cut down and stumps ground Individual homeowners have all sweetgums and designated cherry trees cut down and stumps ground HOA has all sweetgums and designated cherry trees cut down; homeowners have stumps ground down HOA pays for new trees to be planted Individual homeowners pay for and have new trees planted HOA uses reserve fund or special assessment to pay for trees (removal and replanting)

Replacement Trees Recommend that only 1-2 types of trees used to line streets If one, no issue If two, would need to alternate for symmetry Possible tree species to use Flowering plum (already on 22nd Street – purple leaves) Red Maple (acer rubrum) Pacific Dogwood (Cornus nuttallii) Red Dogwood (Cornus florida rubra) Several others – all to be posted on web site – descriptions and images

Future Action Survey to homeowners to decide on: What and how to replace damaged sidewalks (all/some; concrete/RubberWay or similar) What tree species to use for replacing liquidambars (Sweet Gum) and specific cherry trees One versus two Top choices for one and for two How best to pay for: Tree/stump removal and replacement Sidewalk removal and replacement Post all information and images on Bridgewood HOA web site

Discussion