Webster Tree Bill Passes Despite Residential Fears

Members of the Webster Groves City Council passed an ordinance with new restrictions for commercial and residential construction projects designed to protect trees following heated debate Tuesday night.

For the fourth consecutive meeting, councilors read and heard discussion on bill #8719. The 22-page bill has from some residents who fear it will impede residential construction, while others have spoken in support of the bill’s conservation aims.

"The bill deals almost exclusively with commercial and institutional development," Mayor Gerry Welch said.

Some of the bills provisions, however, worry local homeowners and contractors.

"You need to tear this up and start over," said Tom Schnider, of Webster Groves.

A number of council members said a primary motivator of the bill was concerns of new homeowners "clear-cutting" a lot to build newer larger homes.

But several residents, like 44-year resident Jerry Ecke, don’t see that as a problem.

"I don't see a lot of clear-cutting in the residential property in Webster," Ecke said. "Most people are responsible enough not to cut down all the green on the property."

Council had amended the portions of the bill dealing with residential restrictions before Tuesday night's vote, with one exception.

The law does not permit clear cutting for new property owners (those who have owned a residential property in Webster Groves for less than one year). The intent of the restriction is to keep developers from buying a property and clear cutting it, Welch said. 

Tom Sepee, who has attended every meeting concerning the tree bill and has lived in Webster for more than 50 years, was outspoken during all public meetings.

"You know why this is intrusive? You're legislating pride," Sepee said. "We call ourselves a tree city, and we didn't have this bill. People have enough pride not to harm the trees. You don't need to pass something telling them to."

The council voted unanimously to approve the bill.