The city’s tree ordinance was again a focal point of the monthly Eureka Springs Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Adjustment meeting.

At its monthly meeting held Thursday, Nov. 13, BOZA approved four tree cuts totaling 34 trees to be removed on various properties. Later, the planning commission turned its focus to revamping the tree cut application.

The revision will include a statement about giving planning commission members and staff authority to enter private property to inspect requests made by owners.

BOZA approved the removal of nine trees at 36 Mill Hollow and 10 trees at 38 Mill Hollow to clear the way for cabins to be built on the property.

Five trees were approved to be cut at 45 Pivot Rock, and 10 trees were OK’d to be removed at 34 White.

Each tree cut vote got approvals from each commissioner, with the exception of Tom Buford, who continued his months-long habit of abstaining from votes on tree cut requests.

Also approved by BOZA was the installation of an 18-inch by 18-inch off-premise directional sign at 2017 East Van Buren Ave. to advertise a business that’s not visible from the roadway.

PLANNING COMMISSION

The planning commission discussed the legalities of being on private properties to inspect things such as requested tree cuts.

In addition, it’s important to indicate on a request form if new trees are required to be planted to replace trees that are cut down, commissioners said.

“Sometimes you can’t see the trees that are designated from the back of the house,” commissioner Ann Tandy-Sallee said. “Just put it in there that by completing the application I understand that members of the planning commission have whatever access to come and inspect the designated trees … “…. I just can’t imagine anybody saying no. If they want our permission to cut a tree down, and they have to mark their tree. I mean, we’ve never had anyone say no.”

Commissioner Scott Price said you never know people’s intent.

“They could have something illegal going on in the backyard, you know,” he said. “Who knows?”

Buford said he was once told by a city official he couldn’t enter a property, but instead could only view whatever needed to be inspected from the city street.

In the end, the commission agreed to have a line added to applications giving them the OK to inspect the request on the private property .

The planning commission also voted unanimously to request $50,000 from the city council “to move forward with, and to support our efforts with updating the vision plan,” according to Tandy-Sallee.