A tree that may be more than 100 years old will be cut down near Syracuse to make way for large motorhomes and recreational vehicles.
The Kosciusko County Commissioners decided the tree's fate Tuesday at the request of local property owners. The tree is located on a county right of way at the intersection of Lilly and Warner roads. Some land owners in the area wanted the tree saved. Others asked the commissioners for permission to remove it.
Attorney Richard Helm, representing local residents Larry Mock and the Dumford family, told the commissioners several property owners in the area found it hard to navigate their large recreational vehicles through the intersection around the tree. "They're entitled to a reasonable and safe access," Helm said. "And they're not bad people because they've asked for it."
Rollin Brown, representing the Crimmins family, property owners where the tree is located, told the commissioners convenience is not a good enough reason to destroy a tree that was part of the local landscape a long time before the area was developed.
"Now we've got someone who wants us to cut down a tree that's been there for 150 years to make room for some big toys," Brown said.
Commissioner Bob Conley made the motion to allow the removal of the tree. "Motorhomes are getting bigger," Conley said. "Progress moves forward and we need to move with it."
Commissioner Brad Jackson seconded Conley's motion. Jackson said he prefers to let subdivision residents settle their own disputes, but he was willing to take action since the tree was in the county right of way and the neighbors couldn't come to an agreement.
