Petition started to save 80-year-old tree at 2nd and Manton
Plans proposed for 1212 S. 2nd St. call for a three-story trinity home to be built on a small, 14 ft. x 20 ft., lot in Pennsport. In order for that plan to become a reality, it “would force cutting almost half the branches [of an 80-year-old-tree].”
Nearby residents have started a petition to block this development for the sake of saving the tree. According to those who started this campaign to keep this tree thriving, an arborist has assessed that if that many of the large branches will be removed, the shock could kill the tree, or it could otherwise become unbalanced and fall.
The developer is hoping to build a small trinity that requires a zoning variance due to the lack of open space. As the petition says, “the zoning rules states a minimum of 1,440 sq. ft and this lot size is under 285 sq. ft.” A large portion of the tree hangs directly into the proposed lot. According to the petitions, the property owner has already stated the intent to cut the branches that fall on his side of the property.
There’s a website started for the campaign with images of the tree and plenty more information about why many residents would like for the tree to remain. If you’re interested in signing the petition, you can visit Change.org. As of the time of publication, 133 people have signed up in support of the Save Old 2St Tree cause.
Umm.. who owns the lot? Who are you to tell someone what they can and can’t do with their own tree?
Does the tree own the lot a house is proposed to be built? Nobody says Yes! Case closed.
Hmmmm… Is this a Sumac “tree”??? It sure looks like one from the pics. If it is, it certainly isn’t 80 years old. If it isn’t sumac it should be removed anyway–way too close to the walls of that nice brick garage. Whoever started this nonsense should go through the proper channels and have the city put a tree in the front of their house.
This is nonsense. Why would this even be considered. Hey Suburbanites, welcome to Philly, land of concrete. If you want trees everywhere, move back to the Culdesac!
1) The sign, hanging to promote the website, etc. is illegal.
2) The fence the sign is hanging on, is illegal. You can not have a 6 foot fence that is more than 50% opaque at those locations on a property.
Just sayin’
Thank you for posting the article. Our petition grows every day and it is amazing how the neighbors have been reflecting about the tree and the neighborhood. Apparently many children (now adults) have been playing around and on this tree since the 60’s. We are working to maintain the zoning law as it is stated, no more and no less. Signed the Big Old Tree on 2St 🙂
Rumor has it, owner of the lot has listened and offered several concessions, including donating the lot to charity, if tree supporters will match the offer. Supporters seem to want want want, but don’t want to give anything in return.
That rumor is untrue, as far as I know and I own the surrounding lots. But it sounds like something.
Rumor is true, Greg. My brother owns the lot.
Did he offer that to Pennsport? I can ask them.
We have 243 online signatures and another 100 signatures from the neighborhood. We are going to expand our walk about to the other neighborhoods this week. Apparently some people are not too happy with the idea of building on a small lot with no open space.
The 3 story living structure proposed with dimensions of 14 ft 4 inches x 20 ft would make the unit a small trinity house which has not been built in probably over a 100 years.