City Administrator Asks For Board Policy on Trees in City Right-of-Way

Thinking about planting a tree in that strip of grass between the sidewalk and the road? Don't.

The Wentzville Board of Aldermen want residents to understand that trees are not  allowed there—it's the city's right-of-way.

At last week's board of aldermen work session, City Administrator Mike McDowell asked the board for a standard policy in dealing with existing trees in the city right-of-way.

Alderman Rick Stokes said that in the future, planting in the right-of-way should be prohibited. "Sidewalks buckle, there are trip hazards—they look nice, it's the long-term effect."

Community Development Director Doug Forbeck said that in some subdivisions, the trees are on islands that are common ground. "The city never reviewed that plan in the late 90s," he said. The city is now trying to be more proactive with new construction, he said.

Forbeck mentioned Great Oaks Boulevard and Spring Meadows as being two subdivisions with a large number of trees in the city right of way.

Alderman Michael Hays said that there are some places in other cities where trees have been planted in the right of way on both sides of the street, and after they grew to maturity, had practically narrowed the street to one lane.

"I understand beautification, but there’s a safety issue we have to be mindful of," Alderman Cheryl Kross said.

Forbeck mentioned that the city is drafting a license with Great Oaks subdivision for the maintenance of trees planted in those right of ways, and that might be the way to deal with existing trees.

"They are (the homeowner's) liability," he said. Homeowners would have to maintain, remove them when they die and fix any sidewalk damage they cause.

Alderman Chris Gard said, "By the letter of the law, the city should just take them out. But they’re causing minimal harm to the public."

Kross said that the city needed to communicate with residents, show them pictures of damaged sidewalks and trees growing above water lines.

"Get it out to HOAs that these are concerns that city is facing," she said.

Stokes suggested that they warn residents that the city would start checking on trees in the right-of-way, to determine if that trees is a danger to public infrastructure such as sidewalks, streets and utilities or a problem for sight distance. 

Gard said, "So that everyone understands that if we see that, we may come to the door and tell you it’s coming down."

Forbeck was directed to coordinate with the City administrator and send notices to the affected areas.