Council reviews request to vacate portion of Mitchell Street tree-preservation easement, debate over canopy replacement and precedent

City staff presented an ordinance seeking vacation of a 6,061 sq ft portion of an existing tree preservation easement on West Mitchell Street to allow development of six townhomes. Willa Thomason, Urban Forester, said the current parcel is 0.67 acres and that the applicant proposes to vacate 0.14 acres of a 0.38-acre easement while dedicating approximately 0.8 acres of replacement easements on two separate parcels (one adjacent to Harmony Point Park; another near Fire Station 3). Thomason and staff said the exchange would increase total preserved canopy by about 0.66 acres and that the Urban Forestry Advisory Board recommended conditional approval but requested more mitigation trees. Council members expressed skepticism about routinely vacating “permanent” easements, noted prior tree removal and urged a fuller visual presentation (aerial imagery, exhibit overlays and applicant plans) before taking final action. Staff committed to provide additional materials at the next meeting and encouraged the applicant to supply development plans and exhibit overlays.