The initial circumstance under which Shaker Heights Department of Public Works obtained an exclusion from EPA environmental review (CATEX) may no longer apply because of their new plan to CLEAR CUT excavate the Lomond Blvd. tree lawn in this historic neighborhood.  The negative impacts and significant public response to this matter affects agency determinations of CATEX designation.  

Please read on. 

I.     We are concerned that the loss of the street's largest consecutive row of 9 legacy oak trees and our mature tree canopy will:

a.   Reduce housing values in the Lomond neighborhood by up to 15%

b.   Potentially de-stabilize our homes’ foundations

c.   Increase the flooding risk to our homes and neighborhood

d.   Increase energy bills due to heat build-up and "heat islands" located in this part of Shaker. 

e.   Harm our air quality

f.      Negatively impact the character of our historic neighborhood

II.               We demand that the city:

a.    Provide an assessment of all project costs, which must include conducting full environmental, social, and economic impact studies in order to create a complete record of all costs 

b.    Publicly release the exact engineering "unconstructability" report

c.    Record and report on the utility conflict matrices

d.    Provide a comprehensive geotechnical impact study proving that this de-watering process will not cause structural settling to Lomond Boulevard homes

e.    Examine alternate solutions, such as but not limited to:

                         i.       Green Initiate Solutions including Bioswale Chicanes

                         ii.      Full consideration of alternatives

For example, a less disruptive method, utilizing a subterranean equalization (EQ) basin approach with a wet-well and lift station at the intersection of Lynnfield Rd and Lomond Blvd, pumped to a subterranean eq basin located under the Gridley Triangle Park

We want to make the Lomond Neighborhood a centerpiece of forward-thinking ecological design combined with beauty instead of an example of environmental, cultural, and socio-economic mistakes. We  arrived here by poor judgement and project failure.  Let's turn this around and find an alternative. SUCCESS IS POSSIBLE!