Does anybody know where there's a spotted owl I can lure into the Sugar House business district? I'm furious about the mature street trees being clear-cut by parking-ratio-hungry commercial interests.
Now there are going to be 10 more trees killed this week. And the retailer with sawdust on the brain? Wild Oats, whose mission is based on making the world a better place where "the environment is preserved and . . . all living beings are respected." Evidently exceptions are made when it comes to a choice between trees and asphalt. It's enough to boil the sap out of any self-respecting tree-hugger.The true problem is that Salt Lake City's administration shows no defense for its public greenery when it comes to new development. The years it takes to grow street trees into summer shade, autumn color, bird and ladybug habitats are wiped out by approvals through the Planning Commission and City Council.
What we get in return are spindly little toothpicks that, with a little bit of hope, will have a short life span of 15 years before they, too, are prematurely axed by a future change of plans.
I would like to see an existing public greenery preservation overlay required for any development proposals brought before city management for acceptance. Perhaps preservation could even include transplanting our trees to a more convenient location, if necessary. Salt Lake City, please start leaving some habitat for the sunburned sidewalk pedestrian.
Cheri Carleson
Salt Lake City