St. Joseph City Commissioners have voted to remove four evergreen trees from Whirlpool Centennial Park because they’ve been affecting the view of Lake Michigan.
At meeting in July, some commissioners balked at removing the trees between the railroad tracks and the restroom building at Whirlpool Centennial Park after it was suggested by Commissioner Michael Sarola. Instead, they asked the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to review the issue.
Speaking at Monday’s commission meeting, Public Works Director Greg Grothous said the parks board has discussed the matter and voted four to two to recommend removing the trees.
“The four trees have grown to a height that blocks the view of the beach in many locations,” Grothous said. “Our zoning ordinance has a Lake Bluff Scenic View Protection Overlay District that protects the public sight lines from Lake Bluff Park towards Lake Michigan shoreline and regulates the height of structures built within that area.”
While the trees are not considered structures, Grothouse said a similar principle applies. He added the parks board also recommended the planting of appropriate vegetation to soften the landscape around the fountain electrical panels that will be made visible with the removal of the trees. He couldn’t say yet exactly what that vegetation will be.
Commissioners then approved the tree removals after learning it would be expensive to relocate them instead.
