UPDATE – Tollway Tree Cutting

First, here is an update from Mr Brown:

I’ve just returned from the meeting with Oncor, NTTA and our City Council Member Jennifer Gates.  City attorneys and other staff attended the meeting as well.

I am very pleased to report that Oncor has agreed to pause the wholesale cutting of all of the trees along the easement.  They will continue to cut a 50′ perimeter around the lattice towers, which is necessary for the safe removal of those towers and the installation of the monopoles.

To put that in perspective, they are cutting about 600 linear feet of trees, but they are leaving the remaining 3,500 linear feet.  They said they may also need to do some trimming to the taller trees, but would not remove them, at this time.

They agreed to this pause since it is apparent to everyone involved that there has been insufficient collaboration with the NTTA, the neighborhood and the city.  This pause will give all stakeholders time to evaluate the Oncor plan and further discuss the impacts the project will have not only on our neighborhood, but on the tollroad itself.

Oncor did not commit to a specific length of time for the pause in cutting, but I expect it to be for at least a week or two.  This is a significant “win” for the moment.  This will give us time to adequately meet with the stakeholders and ferret out the best plan moving forward.

Oncor asked that we do not interfere with their contractors as they wrap up the lattice tower cutting, and I believe we should honor that request.

Please encourage anyone you see to do the same.

Richard Brown

Here is Jennifer Gates response to the meeting . . .

I’m writing to provide an update on the cutting of trees alongside the easement that backs up to Quincy Lane in the Melshire neighborhood.

The issue’s stakeholders—Oncor, NTTA, City of Dallas, and Richard Brown, who represented the neighborhood— met this morning, and had a very productive meeting with the goal of finding a solution that works for all parties.

Oncor has agreed to take a pause from cutting any trees outside the 50 foot clearance, which is required for construction related to the replacement of the lattice towers. They will continue to trim the trees within 4 feet of the power lines.

During this interim period, Oncor will share project plans with NTTA, allowing them time to review and respond. In addition, Oncor will look at what is needed for maintenance and what potential mitigation plans might be. Taking this pause ensures stakeholders are operating from a place of transparency, and provides an opportunity for continued neighborhood involvement by having Mr. Brown take part in the process.

I am grateful for everyone agreeing to come to the table in an effort to find the most advantageous solution for all impacted parties. We will continue to keep the community updated.

Councilmember Jennifer S. Gates, District 13

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Jennifer S Gates  Councilmember     City of Dallas | www.dallascityhall.com  District 13  1500 Marilla St 5FS  Dallas, TX 75201  O: (214) 670-3816  jennifer.gates@dallascityhall.com

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Thank you for your involvement in our community,

Linda Vallala, President of Melshire Home Owner’s Association