Mature trees lining the GEICO parking lot along Willard Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD
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There are over 550 trees on the GEICO property in Friendship Heights Maryland - some over 100 years old - all over 25 years old as the last tree census was done in 1998. Thirty-six of these trees are big ones - specimen trees. They are Oaks and Maples and Tulip Poplars with large canopies that shade the parcel and provide habitat for birds and squirrels and caterpillars and butterflies.
All of these trees are protected by Chapter 22A of the Montgomery County Code.
However, the developer, EYA, has asked for permission from the County (i.e. a variance) to allow them to remove most every specimen tree on the property. (They don’t need permission to remove the smaller trees - the ones that are under 24 inches in diameter - and it looks like they are removing most of them too.)
EYA prides themselves on their commitment to “green living”. They even make an “environmental promise” on their website. These trees are an important part of the environment and what makes Friendships our livable and walkable community. They make Friendship Heights a Green Community.
Help Us Save these Trees
Please send an email to the Planning Board and staff and the County Council
Elza Hiesel-McCoy: elza.hisel-mccoy@montgomeryplanning.org
Amy Lindsey: amy.lindsey@montgomeryplanning.org
Montgomery County Council: county.council@montgomerycountymd.gov
Planning Board: mcp-chair@mncppc-mc.org
USE THIS LINK TO EMAIL DIRECTLY, or cut and paste the text below:
To:
elza.hisel-mccoy@montgomeryplanning.org, amy.lindsey@montgomeryplanning.org, county.council@montgomerycountymd.gov, mcp-chair@mncppc-mc.org
Subject:
Save the GEICO trees
Message:
The mature trees at the GEICO property in Friendship Heights are an irreplaceable benefit to our community. Yet, the developer, EYA, wants to remove all of them to build townhouses and apartments. Please deny their request for a variance that allows them to remove every specimen tree.
The Friendship Heights Sector plan, the handbook for re-development in Friendship Heights, requires that every effort is made to keep the mature trees. This is so important that it is mentioned in more than 10 places in the plan. We think that EYA can do better. Please save our trees.
Signed:
{Your Name}
{Address}
Brookdale Park
