Des Plaines aldermen voted 7-0 Monday night to lift a temporary ban on tree cutting by crews working for Commonwealth Edison Co.
The City Council approved the ban July 6 after residents complained of overly aggressive trimming. Aldermen then formed an ad hoc committee made up of city officials, ComEd employees and two residents to study the matter.
The committee recommended that public awareness of tree trimming be increased by publicizing scheduled work sites, and that residents be advised that when severe trimming is necessary, trees can be removed at their request and be replaced at no cost.
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The committee also recommended that ComEd be held accountable to a four-year tree-trimming cycle to lessen the degree of trimming; that ComEd trimming crews be informed of Des Plaines residents’ concerns; and that ComEd and Des Plaines forester Jerry Lecocq be in closer contact with residents when potential problems arise.
“The guidelines are extensive in some people’s minds, but adhering to the four-year cycle should reduce the impact of some of the trimming,” said Des Plaines Public Works Director Scott Shirley.