Posted: 6/4/03

Oak wilt, freeway zoning topics for Columbus Town Board

Joe Drennan
Staff Writer

The two major topics at the Columbus Town Board Meeting on May 28, were oak wilt and zoning proposals in the freeway district.

Town forester Steve Cook addressed the board about the oak wilt problem in the township, explaining that affected trees need to be removed.

Cook said the township offers a rebate to those who remove affected trees on their property, and they can also get free black plastic from the township to cover the tree after it has been cut down.

ìThe black plastic alone can cost you up to $70 bucks at the Home Depot,î Cook said.

During discussions, the board explained that Cook starts marking trees affected with oak wilt in August, and it is up to the landowner to have those marked trees removed any time between Thanksgiving and April 15.

Cook added that there is an ordinance already on the books that states that if the landowner does not remove marked trees during the allotted time, then the township will remove the trees. After pointing this out, Cook asked the board to enforce this ordinance.

Board member Mark Walsh said, ìI had a problem with oak wilt and Steve came out, told me what to do, and it wasnít that hard.î

Zoning

The other major order of business at the town board meeting was a discussion over the proposed zoning plans for the freeway district.

The discussion focused on senior housing.

Board members felt that it was essential to place some space for senior housing in the new plans. Not only did they want room for senior housing, but they wanted it in the right location.

ìIt doesnít make sense to have senior housing next to a Home Depot when it can be next to a Walgreens,î said Town Planner Dean Johnson.

After some discussion, the board opted to let Johnson revise plans and come to the next meeting with a new zoning proposal.

Top of Page