Overgrown trees on Yakima city streets
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YAKIMA, Wash. -- KIMA is looking into an issue you brought to our attention. Trees branching out into the street and getting the way of drivers here in Yakima.
Nature can play pretty music. But, on North 4th Avenue these trees can play havoc for drivers.
"It's kind of hard," said Samantha Coronado. "You're like swerving. You don't know you might end up hitting something."
Small cars cleared it, but trucks and SUVs either hit the branches or swerved to miss. A large truck towing a small piece of machinery smacked right into the tree. Taking a branch or two right along with it.
You called KIMA with your concerns, so we called the city.
"That's a traffic hazard," said Public Works Street Maintenance Crew Leader, Jay Kendall.
Kendall agrees it's a problem. The tree breaks city code.
"The tree has to be on the backside of the curb line and a minimum of 12 feet or more in height," said Kendall.
Besides the city parks, these trees on Naches Avenue are the only ones actually owned by the city. Every other tree on every other street is the responsibility of the property owners.
We were there as Kendall spoke with the renters. Their landlord couldn't get to it by the 4 o'clock deadline, so the city stepped in. It took two men and about 30 minutes. Kendall says it's a matter of safety over time and cost.
The city can fine homeowners if they don't trim trees on their property. However, a court case could cost the city more than cutting a tree if an owner doesn't pay.
Nature can play pretty music. But, on North 4th Avenue these trees can play havoc for drivers.
"It's kind of hard," said Samantha Coronado. "You're like swerving. You don't know you might end up hitting something."
Small cars cleared it, but trucks and SUVs either hit the branches or swerved to miss. A large truck towing a small piece of machinery smacked right into the tree. Taking a branch or two right along with it.
You called KIMA with your concerns, so we called the city.
"That's a traffic hazard," said Public Works Street Maintenance Crew Leader, Jay Kendall.
Kendall agrees it's a problem. The tree breaks city code.
"The tree has to be on the backside of the curb line and a minimum of 12 feet or more in height," said Kendall.
Besides the city parks, these trees on Naches Avenue are the only ones actually owned by the city. Every other tree on every other street is the responsibility of the property owners.
We were there as Kendall spoke with the renters. Their landlord couldn't get to it by the 4 o'clock deadline, so the city stepped in. It took two men and about 30 minutes. Kendall says it's a matter of safety over time and cost.
The city can fine homeowners if they don't trim trees on their property. However, a court case could cost the city more than cutting a tree if an owner doesn't pay.
