Board adopts settlement in Post Street cherry-tree appeal after appellant reaches agreement with Public Works

President Jose Lopez and the Board of Appeals granted an appeal and adopted an agreement dated May 14, 2024 settling a dispute about removal of two cherry trees at 17 Post Street. The motion — to grant the appeal and revise the order to require adoption of the parties’ settlement — passed 4-0.

Appellant Josh Clipp told the board the removal dispute stretched over 119 days, with multiple missed meetings and long periods in which he said Public Works did not respond to his questions. Clipp described being unable to get basic information from the department about tree diameter, basin conditions and planting funds and said the city had reprimanded a public-works employee during the dispute. He read a short haiku in honor of the trees and said he had reached an agreement with the city and other parties.

Vice President Alex Lundberg and Commissioners Rick Swig and John Trezvina thanked Clipp for his diligence and noted the settlement was the product of negotiation. The executive director confirmed the agreement is posted as supporting material for the appeal.

The board’s order conditions the granted appeal on adopting the May 14, 2024 agreement and its replacement plan and timelines. President Lopez said the agreement “addresses the issues raised in the appeal.” The Board recorded the vote on the motion as 4-0.

Next steps: the Board’s action adopts the parties’ settlement and creates an enforceable order adopting the replacement plan and timetable in the agreement; the parties will be responsible for any follow-up required by the agreement and the board staff will monitor compliance.