Oakmont resident questions Noblesville’s tree removal plan as only solution to fix neighborhood sidewalks

Letters to the Editor do not reflect the opinions of The Reporter, its publisher or its staff. You can submit your own Letter to the Editor by email to News@ReadTheReporter.com. Please include your phone number and city of residence. The Reporter will publish one letter per person per week.

Dear Editor:

Recently, residents of Oakmont chatted with the cities of Westfield and Carmel. They use a company called Precision Concrete Cutting to help repair sidewalks. This company is also used by the city of Indianapolis.

The benefits of partnering with this company are the ability to repair sidewalks, save trees, and save taxpayer dollars, which, according to Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen, “Is always best for the entire community in moving forward.” However, despite all these benefits, Mayor Jensen has turned the idea down because it does not guarantee the 20- or 30-year solution he has talked frequently about.

In 2017, the neighborhood of Oakmont was approached by the city and told that 191 trees would be cut down.

In 2018, Precision Concrete Cutting came up with a proposal and cost analysis to share with then-Mayor Distlear, Patty Johnson, City Arborists Vince Baker and John Berry, and Chris Jensen, who at the time was Oakmont’s Common Council Representative for District 2. Jensen was also chairperson on the Roads/Engineering/Traffic Committees in 2017 and 2018.

A meeting was held at Noblesville High School for Precision Concrete Cutting to present their service. City officials were invited; however, they did not attend.

In 2017, the city decided to walk away from repairing sidewalks, and now, the City of Noblesville seems to be walking away from a method that would benefit the city and the taxpayers. Despite urban deforestation being touted as the best method, residents of Oakmont have not been provided with a complete cost analysis, documentation of an environmental impact study, or reports that show the city researched other alternatives to sidewalk repair.

One would ask, if this method is good enough for the cities of Carmel, Westfield, and Indianapolis, why is it not an option for the City of Noblesville? These cities seem to use this method frequently to make sure sidewalks are safe and ADA compliant. Also, if this option will save taxpayer dollars, why is it not being utilized by the City of Noblesville?

Do these cities care about mature tree canopies more than Noblesville? Do these cities care about saving taxpayer dollars more than Noblesville? Or is there another reason why the administration has decided to move forward?

At the writing of this letter, the neighborhood of Oakmont is well on its way to losing 133 mature side street trees in phase one. The neighborhood of Sommerwood is slated to lose over 100 trees, and it seems that South Harbor, Lockhaven, Forest Hill Estates, and West Haven are also projected to lose trees this year.

The administration likes to paint tree removal as the only option in moving forward, but it is not, and it is not the norm. Other cities across the country and some who are right next to us are able to come up with sensible solutions for their communities, but ONLY IN NOBLESVILLE does every innovative option fail.

Sure is curious.

Jaime Rychener
Noblesville