Resident asks Newport News council to review tree-board ruling after sycamore damages home

At the Jan. 27 meeting, resident Shereen Mustafa appealed a tree-board (now called the city park board) finding that the city was not responsible for property damage she attributes to a large London plane (sycamore) tree adjacent to her home.

Mustafa said the tree damaged her roof and chimney after Hurricane Debbie and that earlier pruning and sidewalk work had removed other troublesome trees. She told council the board's risk-management ruling absolved the city of responsibility, which she disputed. "I begged and asked them about removing the tree last summer after Hurricane Debbie did the damage," she said, describing branches on her roof and a knocked-down chimney.

City staff did not make a formal determination during the meeting but the city manager indicated a director of finance would meet with Mustafa that evening to discuss the claim and next steps.

Next steps: staff offered to meet the resident to discuss the claim and clarify appeals procedures; council did not reverse the tree-board action on the spot and no formal vote was taken.