1. Bridgewood HOA Tree/Sidewalk Committee

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

3. 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

4. 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 years maximum

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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)

8. 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

9. 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

10. Discussion