Say goodbye to 64 ash trees in Riverbank

It would be nice if people haven’t grown too fond of dozens of 16-year-old ash trees on Crawford Road, because their days are numbered.

City leaders agreed last week to ax the trees, whose roots are hard on sidewalks, in a meeting that also brought decisions on a new subdivision, higher recreation fees, aging recreation facilities and summer revelers overrunning the River Cove neighborhood.

The City Council approved removing 64 Raywood ash trees on Crawford between Antique Rose Way and Squire Wells Way because they’re infested with clearwing moths and their roots are pushing up sidewalks. More will go next year between Saxon Way and Prospectors Parkway.

Colorful Chinese pistache trees mixed among the ash will remain because their roots grow further down in the earth, and the city will add 32 more plus 1,250 jasmine plants, at a price of $47,760 for this year’s work.

In other action, the council:

▪ Decided against changing the city’s response to complaints of trespassing, littering and vandalism in River Cove, a 241-home neighborhood near the Stanislaus River. A survey suggested people appreciate increased private security patrols and garbage pickup, costing about $4,000 a year. Imposing parking permits could cost more than $18,000, and a fence near River Cove and Briarcliff drives could cost $20,000 with no guarantee that people would not simply go around to reach a rope swing on private property.

▪ Approved Troy Wright’s plan for townhome-type, two-story dwellings southwest of Roselle and Ward avenues, appearing in pairs with shared walls. The 28 units will be called Ward Villas.

▪ Raised some recreation program fees and rental fees, partly to cover the new minimum wage. For example, basketball camp will cost $65 instead of $55, and renting Scout Hall will cost $350 instead of $200.

▪ Established a fund to collect money for renovations needed at the Riverbank Community Center, Scout Hall and the community gym. When people rent those facilities, the city will put a portion of the money into the fund.

This story was originally published February 15, 2016 at 5:48 PM with the headline "Say goodbye to 64 ash trees in Riverbank."