Our
Policy
The
STF advocates for trees to be considered as part of
the infrastructure when roadways are planned and built.
Tools for this policy include the allocation of funds
for tree protection and planting as line items in
the budget process for new roads; road design standards
that prioritize retention and /or replacement to achieve
canopied roadways; provision for designated spaces
for the planting of street trees (emphasizing canopy
trees), preferably using medians; and the encouragement
of communication and collaboration on tree preservation
and planting opportunities among all agencies and
departments involved in a road building project.
Past projects include the widening of White Bluff
Road and Johnny Mercer Boulevard (tree preservation
and new planting sites using a median) Waters Ave
widening (new canopy tree planting sites).
Roadways
Amenities Resolution
This
resolution calls for consideration and inclusion of
components for roadway amenities, including
tree preservation, planting, landscaping,
sidewalks and pedestrian features, and bike paths.
The resolution was been approved by the Chatham Urban
Transportation Study Policy Committee, the Savannah
Board of Aldermen, the Chatham County Commission,
and the Town of Thunderbolt.
Current
Concerns:
Broughton
Street Trees
Whitfield
Avenue
Stephenson
Avenue
Broughton
Street Trees
The
following statement was presented by STF board member
Katty Smith at the Broughton Streetscape Improvements
Public Meeting held by the Savannah Development and
Renewal Authority on March 26, 2008. We thought it
was worth sharing with you, our readers. Here is the
statement in its entirety:
The
board of the STF would like to commend the Savannah
Development and Renewal Authority (SDRA) on the proposed
Broughton Street Plan. SDRA has invoked a sound urban
forestry process in the design phase of the project.
In
developing the new Broughton Street plan, SDRA wisely
solicited the participation of the City of Savannah's
Park and Tree Director David White. The Park and Tree
Department does extensive research that tests the
suitability of a tree for its location. The Bosque
elm's upright oval form, tolerance of heat and drought,
and acceptance of narrow planting sites makes it a
logical choice for Broughton Street.
The
Broughton Street plan will enhance the corridor's
resurgence, which has resulted from the vision and
courage of local independent retailers. Broughton
Street is becoming a hub of innovative retail merchandizing
that will be graced with a streetscape featuring well
cared for, shade-providing street trees.
The
Savannah Tree Foundation salutes SDRA, the consulting
firm W.K. Dickson, and the City of Savannah for developing
a plan that will be an integral part of the Broughton
Street renaissance
Whitfield
Avenue
On
Friday, April 13, 2007 the Chatham County Commission
voted to accept the Chatham County Engineering Department's
recommendation for a plan to widen Whitfield Avenue
between Hendry Street and the Truman Parkway.
The plan is similar to the Janauary 4, 2007 plan introduced
to the residents by letter.
The
plan calls for a 24' landscaped median with a 50'
median on either side of the Kings/Way –Grace Avenue
intersection that will have 6 canopy trees.
There may be space for additional canopy trees in
a clear zone at the south west corridor near the Truman
Parkway intersection.
The
Savannah Tree Foundation made abbreviated remarks
at the Commission meeting. Beth Kinstler of
Preserving our Neighborhoods and Mr. Raymond Patriccio,
principal of Hesse School addressed neighborhood protection
and speed issues in connection with the proposed widening.
The following is an STF position statement concerning
the current widening project.
Position
Statement
Statement prepared for the Chatham County Commission,
April 13, 2007
Re:
Proposed widening of Whitfield Avenue
The
Savannah Tree Foundation supports road design which
prioritizes tree retention and/or replacement to achieve
canopied roadways. Scientific data has proven
that canopy trees on roadways reduce the heat island
effect, retain the quality of residential neighborhoods
and provide traffic calming influences on automobile
drivers.
Since
2003, the Savannah Tree Foundation has communicated
with federal, state and local officials about the
importance of canopy trees in regard to one of Chatham
County's historic canopied roadways, Whitfield Avenue.
We have attended hearings, written comments,
and collaborated with concerned citizens. We
have participated in both local planning workshops
and state and national conferences that addressed
the challenges of meeting the demands of smooth traffic
flow while retaining the inherent characteristics
of the impacted neighborhoods.
Today,
the Savannah Tree Foundation urges the Chatham County
Commission to support Alternative 1 on County Engineer
Allan R Black's information sheet concerning Whitfield
Avenue.
Alternative
1 approves the compromise design with a Type A median
opening at Halcyon/Kings Way intersection, which should
provide space for about six canopy trees in the median.
STF further urges that the provisions for landscaping
the medians and the additional planting of canopy
trees outside the clear zone in the south west corridor
be included in the final plan, as outlined in the
January 4, 2007 letter from the Chatham County Department
of Engineering.
The
Savannah Tree Foundation is disappointed that it became
necessary to forgo the plan that was presented at
the February 28, 2006 Public Information Open House
hosted by the Georgia Department of Transportation
and Chatham County Department of Engineering.
This
plan that specified a 50' median that would accommodate
approximately 23 trees between Hendry and the Truman
Parkway and was based on comments from the February
2004 Public Hearing for the Environmental Assessment.
We understand the recognition of the necessity
of the additional median cut for a church and day
care center. However it is very important to
retain the integrity of the remainder of this traditional
neighborhood which includes an elementary school,
several other churches and well established residential
communities. This can be accomplished by a
sensitive landscape plan that combines as many canopy
trees as possible with smaller trees and shrubs.
The landscape plan should compliment the proposed
sidewalks thereby providing a roadways amenities package
for residents, pedestrians and bicyclists.
Thank
you for your time and consideration of our request.
It represents both our leadership and the many
constituents in the Whitfield Avenue area who have
come to us looking for aid in an attempt to preserve
their community design.
Stephenson
Avenue
Helen Stone, Chatham County Commissioner and Kenneth
Sadler, City of Savannah Alderman are meeting with
an informal group comprised of Chatham County Engineering,
City of Savannah Public Works, City of Savannah Park&Tree
Department, Savannah Electric, Savannah Tree Foundation
and Stephenson Avenue property owners to review and
research the options for the streetscape once the
widening project is complete. It should be noted that
STF initially responsible for gathering this group
together in the summer of 2002.
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