Have had issues with trees and bushes planted in grass area of cul-de sac. This time it is excessive and the only way I can access the monument is to do some extensive cutting. It would make sense that homeowners and or homeowners associations should not be permitted to plant in the dedicated street. Such areas between the curb and sidewalk, known as the tree lawn is accepted, but in the centerline of a dedicated street? I am concerned of an upcoming survey and the trouble I will cause when the cutting tools come out. Anyone have similar experience.
That's the way it goes sometimes, I feel you frustration. But overcoming adverse field conditions are our stock-in-trade.
There ought to be a law that all property pins have a neon arrow point at them, but there isn't. 😉
It's not our fault, that others do stuff. Do what you have to do.
That's how the cookie crumbled.
N
I'm going to be of no help, I'm only commenting, to say I have not ever seen a cul-de-sac with even a curb in the center! I am not certain if it is a rule, or just accepted practice locally, but trees are not generally allowed to grow in the ROW here, even on the side of the highway, with exceptions for trees that predate the road and are massive! Does the muni allow trees right along the ROW in other places? I ask, because in my mind, trees on the ROW create an unnecessary sight reduction hazard. My round a bout way of saying maybe those trees aren't supposed to be there, but no one has said anything, and you'd be good to cut. I live in West Texas, so we have very few trees, so my tree cutting opinions are entirely my own, and I did not even stay in a holiday inn last night.
We need to place those controlling monuments in areas that are more convenient for us.
The center-line is quick and simple, but the Owners have other needs and concerns.
I have seen well monuments set in sidewalks, parking strips, etc. they all have their downsides.
Vegetation serves no purpose in the center of a cul-de-sac. It should all be paved to maximize utilization by oversized vehicles and trailers.
Holy Cow, post: 386779, member: 50 wrote: Vegetation serves no purpose in the center of a cul-de-sac. It should all be paved to maximize utilization by oversized vehicles and trailers.
Ronald Reagan said something like that in the 60's when he was running for Ca. Governor
And here I thought I was old...........................
What did ol' "20 mule team Borax" Ronnie Reagan have to say at that time?
Holy Cow, post: 386784, member: 50 wrote: What did ol' "20 mule team Borax" Ronnie Reagan have to say at that time?
"Bedtime for Bonzo" (my favorite movie)
That was in 1951 when he was attempting to return from acting obscurity. His strong opinions tended to deter the enthusiasm of some casting directors in those days. Apparently, they liked dimwits.
BTW, I watched part of a PBS story about Reagan last night. They have been going through a President per night. Saw a little of Carter's, Nixon's, Johnson's and Kennedy's stories recently.
Planting islands in cul-de-sacs and intersections are common here. So are centerline monuments. I wouldn't recommend pulling out the chain saw or machete but rather selectively prune the minimum necessary. Realize that your client has to come home to your handy work everyday and probably bear the brunt of your inability to think outside of the box. Fashion a branch spreader out of a lath; use the instrument case to hold down a branch, prop up or over a small tree with a range pole and keep your Felco sharp.
I see crews occupy these points with tripods and instruments all the time and invariably slap my forehead wondering why they wish to expose themselves to the risks associated with being in the middle of the street. The only answer is that they are incapable of moving beyond the stakeout report that the chief has sent them out with and that they need better supervision.
Continued mass desecration of foolishly established vegetation in improper locations might eventually convince those who would plant such invasive weeds to not do so in the first place. Cul-de-sacs have too many driving hazards to begin with. Destroying line of sight to potential obstructions to your path is downright hazardous.
Monte, post: 386776, member: 11913 wrote: I'm going to be of no help, I'm only commenting, to say I have not ever seen a cul-de-sac with even a curb in the center! I am not certain if it is a rule, or just accepted practice locally, but trees are not generally allowed to grow in the ROW here, even on the side of the highway, with exceptions for trees that predate the road and are massive! Does the muni allow trees right along the ROW in other places? I ask, because in my mind, trees on the ROW create an unnecessary sight reduction hazard. My round a bout way of saying maybe those trees aren't supposed to be there, but no one has said anything, and you'd be good to cut. I live in West Texas, so we have very few trees, so my tree cutting opinions are entirely my own, and I did not even stay in a holiday inn last night.
Interesting regional differences - Here, in the middle of the largest Ponderosa Pine forest in the world, we are required to locate every tree larger than 6" DBH. Depending upon the planned use(s), a certain number of them must be retained. If they are "old growth" trees they are treated as if they are a god. You don't cut them down, you design around them. Our local government feels that a trip to WalMart should be a wilderness experience...
I stake a lot of clearing for utility easements. You'd be amazed how many people plant orchards of ornamental trees and extensive and expensive landscaping right down the middle of those easements. Almost like the more money they have the more they are lacking any common sense. So yesterday I'm plowing through another one these jobs and a homeowner comes out and begins chiding me on disturbing 'her' vegetation, mind you this isn't landscaped or full of expensive ornamentals, just dense willows and pecker woods along the roadway. Of course I apologized profusely and explained the what, who and why, I was doing the work for, but somehow forgot to mention to her the part about the hydroaxes that would be showing up in the next few days. Must have slipped my mind.
Roads simply end around here.
Most of the time there is no room to turn around.
Williwaw, post: 386814, member: 7066 wrote: I stake a lot of clearing for utility easements..
Had a large drainage channel liner project once upon a time. The natural creek wiggled it's way along its historic path at the rear of some fairly nice residences. When it came time to build it the engineers had "straightened up" the alignment in a lot of places as there was an almost 150' R/W. The new concrete liner wound up chewing up this one fella's little vegetable garden and outdoor area. He had RR tie retaining walls and manicured Bermuda along with crepe myrtle..it was pretty but the project was its death warrant. He howled like a coyote caught in a barbed wire fence.
The really funny part was that he was the neighborhood advocate for the project and got everybody that lived along the creek on board. Once he saw where the liner was going to wind up, he changed his tune, but to no avail. The plans had been glued to the wall at City Hall for six months and I guess he never realized the size or extent of the project.
How does a fire truck turn around with a tree at the center of a cul-de-sac? Must be a hella big sac.
In Florida anything within the R/W that has dirt in in gets planted.
Andy Nold, post: 386841, member: 7 wrote: How does a fire truck turn around with a tree at the center of a cul-de-sac? Must be a hella big sac.
A typical C-D-S here that meets minimum fire department standards has a 90' diameter bulb among other things! It can have a 30' diameter island in the center of it and is entirely no parking. An approved fire department turnaround is required when the street is more than 150' long. The way that I learned to never question public safety is by asking the Fire Chief why his guys apparently couldn't back up their trucks.
I learned that when backing a fire truck or ambulance, the flashing lights attract idiots, who will drive right up behind you as you are backing up, and CRUNCH!! It's like the flashing light hypnotizes them.
