Tree‑removal request at 2976 North Main Street presented; replacement planting amendment proposed

Staff brought a tree‑removal request for 2976 North Main Street to the Historic Preservation Commission meeting on Nov. 21 because the earlier administrative approval had included tree removals supported by an arborist report; no equivalent recent report existed for the current request.

Homeowner Kristen Thomas said an arborist inspected the subject tree and found it "split at the top" and dying, adding that the expert estimated "it won't be here in 10 years." She said the owners plan to replant, likely an oak or maple selected from the commission's approved planting list.

Commissioner Bramblett moved to approve COA 2025‑09B for tree removal and Commissioner Butler seconded; Commissioner Whipple proposed an amendment to require that a replacement tree "of equal" size from the approved planting list be planted as compensatory mitigation. The transcript records the motion, amendment and second, but it does not include a clear roll‑call or vote tally for this item.

Staff said an earlier administrative COA approved a different tree removal and that the current request cites the arborist's findings; the applicant indicated the previous application stipulated replanting and that they complied in that earlier instance.

Because a definitive outcome for COA 2025‑09B is not recorded in the transcript, the article reports the motion and amendment as presented and notes the absence of an on‑record vote in the provided meeting record.

If the commission later records a vote or issues a written determination, that outcome will be the controlling record.