BY JENNIFER CABRERA
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Alachua County and GRU have had several rounds of negotiations about the County’s request for an easement variance that would allow five live oaks to remain standing, but GRU foresters and a former City arborist have warned that the trees are probably too damaged to be saved.
After the County asked GRU for an easement variance to save five live oaks that are currently scheduled to be removed because they are in the right-of-way of the Parker Road extension, GRU CEO Ed Bielarski responded on March 26, “While we are sympathetic to community members who are passionate about our urban forest, we are obligated to do what’s best for the entire community to make sure we provide safe and reliable power.”…