Board approves Beacon Arms tree‑removal application with replacement plan under planning‑board oversight
Summary
The board approved a tree commission–recommended application allowing the removal of five honey locust trees at Beacon Arms, with replacements sourced by the applicant and planning‑board site‑plan conditions governing timing and the number of removals if replacements cannot be planted this year.
The Village of Rhinebeck board approved a tree‑removal application for the Beacon Arms property to remove five honey locust trees along Route 9 as part of a sidewalk reconstruction and streetscape improvement plan.
The tree commission and planning board have coordinated on the application. The tree commission recommended removal because sidewalk work would likely damage roots; the applicant provided invoices and sourced replacement hybrid elm trees. Board members noted the planning‑board site‑plan approval includes contingencies: if replacement trees cannot be planted by year‑end the planning board’s amended site plan may limit how many existing trees can be removed immediately. The board approved the removal request consistent with the tree commission recommendation; timing and planting responsibilities remain subject to planning‑board site‑plan enforcement.
Board members stressed coordination between tree and planning professionals to balance aesthetics and arboricultural considerations going forward.
