Tree Meeting Scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 23

Seattle City Light is planning the removal of trees along the Interurban Trail in the Westminster Neighborhood. 

A public meeting will be held at the Pacific Learning Center at the from 6:30 - 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 23, to discuss with the public what Seattle City Light plans to do. 

The problem with these trees, according to Brent Schmidt, a representative for Seattle City Light, is that they are growing too much in the way of the lines.

“They [the trees] want to be very tall,” said Schmidt. “Going back and trimming them is not sustainable and damaging to the trees.”

Schmidt says that Seattle City Light plans on removing and replacing the trees with a type that won’t have this problem. 

Neighbors spoke out against the tree removal during a city council meeting July 25. The original plan then was to remove close to 70 trees, but Seattle City Light has since then reduced that number.

“The trees provide a sound and wind barrier, clean the air and provide water retention,” said Patty Fifer at the meeting. Neighbors also brought up privacy as another benefit that the trees provide along the trail.

Janet Way, who’s running for Shoreline City Council, wants to make sure some of the trees are still there.

“Protect as many trees as possible,” said Way. She said she is concerned that trees replacing their original will take twice as long to re-grow.