Title
Recommendation to Endorse the Gibbons Drive Sidewalks and Trees Plan.
Body
To: Members of the Commission on Persons with Disabilities
From: Erin Smith, Public Works Director
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The draft Gibbons Drive Sidewalks and Trees Plan (Plan) is a community-informed plan that establishes a decision-making framework to address pedestrian safety, accessibility, and infrastructure needs along Gibbons Drive while preserving mature Liquidambar styraciflua (Liquidambar) trees wherever feasible. The draft Plan is included as Exhibit 1.
Gibbons Drive contains a mature tree canopy that is highly valued by the surrounding community. At the same time, tree roots and constrained planting areas have contributed to substantial displacement and deterioration of sidewalks, curbs, drainage facilities, and other infrastructure. Existing sidewalk conditions create accessibility barriers that the City needs to address.
The recommended approach evaluates conditions on a location-by-location basis and prioritizes work based on the severity of sidewalk, accessibility, drainage, and other infrastructure conditions. At each location, the City would evaluate feasible measures to address the infrastructure need while retaining the existing tree where feasible. Where a tree cannot reasonably be retained, removal may be necessary to provide an accessible pedestrian facility or address other infrastructure needs. The recommended approach also limits the maximum number of Liquidambar trees that may be removed during five-year increments and provides for replacement planting when removal occurs.
The draft Plan was released for public review on October 2, 2026, and is being presented to the Commission on Persons with Disabilities (Commission) for review and input, with consideration of the Plan's approach to pedestrian accessibility. Following review by the Commission, the Planning Board, and the public, staff will consider the comments received and make appropriate revisions...
Click here for full text