BROOKINGS — Dutch elm disease and the emerald ash borer beetle have been the nemeses of trees in Brookings, and it’s only getting worse with the arrival of pine wilt fungus.
It’s for that reason an effort is being undertaken by the city to update its ordinance wording so it can be flexible in handling its response to dead, dying, diseased or infested trees of any species.
Parks, Recreation and Forestry Director Kristin Zimmerman told the Brookings City Council all the details at its March 10 meeting.
“The reason (the update’s) important is it allows us to respond more quickly to pine wilt that’s moving into our community, and we have some other diseases and infestations that are likely going to make an appearance here in the next 10 years,” she said.
Zimmerman said the update is largely administrative in nature and doesn’t change the city’s existing authority or process.
“Instead, it ensures the ordinance remains flexible and effective as new threats to our tree canopy emerge,” she said. “The city … has invested in our trees, and we prioritize maintaining a healthy and resilient urban forest.”
Cost responsibilities remain unchanged, with the city responsible for trees in the public right-of-way and private property owners responsible for nuisances on their land.
The council will act on the proposed revisions at its next meeting on March 24.
In other business at its March 10 meeting, councilors:
• On a 5-0 vote, with councilors Holly Tilton Byrne and Nick Wendell absent, gave the go ahead to implement code changes that will enable the establishment of parklets in downtown Brookings. It was previously a pilot program tested at Wooden Legs Brewing Co. last year, and met with great success.
“As a reminder, parklets are limited to the side streets only; however, sidewalk dining is still allowed throughout downtown, so those Main Avenue businesses do still have the opportunity to participate with tables outside of their business,” Assistant City Manager Samantha Beckman said during her presentation.
The code changes pertain to alcoholic beverage sales and consumption guidelines within the public right-of-way, and regulations pertaining to outdoor food and beverage service and dining areas.
• Approved an ordinance amendment, on a 5-0 vote, that will allow downtown businesses to have projecting signs — they stick out perpendicularly or at an angle from a wall, rather than resting flat on it — every 25 feet per face.
The move to update the ordinance came about because, while downtown lots were originally platted at 25 feet wide along Main Avenue, more than a few of the businesses on those lots have expanded onto other lots, merging buildings.
— Contact Mondell Keck at [email protected].
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