http://www.treesandthings.com/story/2008/11/15/145521/67 I figure with a web site name like treesandthings, we should be able to get some discussion going on this issue.  The issue being which is more important -- community development or the environment?  That's essentially what's at stake out in Seattle.  There is a neighborhood there that is looking forward to what some see as much-needed development.  There is also a tree, an <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/publications/cam/cam242.pdf">exceptional tree</a> (pdf doc) if y en-us Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:44:45 EST Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:59:49 EST http://www.treesandthings.com/story/2008/11/15/145521/67#5 If a famous person has lived in a given house, then that house would have some historical significance as a result.  If a famous or infamous person had been hanged from a given tree, or if the Buddha had found enlightenment underneath that tree, there Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:59:49 EST http://www.treesandthings.com/story/2008/11/15/145521/67#4 How many houses, streets, and large advertising billboards do you know that actually had a role in historical events?  Yet those things are regularly designated historical landmarks.  Actually, so are <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.seattle.go Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:15:36 EST http://www.treesandthings.com/story/2008/11/15/145521/67#3 A hundred year old tree does have some historical interest; it has, at least, been around a long time, and was in existence during many significant historical events, although I am not aware that it had any role in those events other than being part of the Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:22:17 EST http://www.treesandthings.com/story/2008/11/15/145521/67#2 Striking a balance is pretty difficult.  But setting hearings without inviting both sides seems to be rather misguided, if not actively against the rules of the planning commission.  I don't live up that way, but around here all residents have to Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:47:28 EST http://www.treesandthings.com/story/2008/11/15/145521/67#1 If they want to cut down a tree, I have one in my front yard that needs to go.  Just give me a PM, Seattle DPD, and you can run your chainsaws all you want.  I promise, no protesters. Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:28:51 EST string http://www.treesandthings.com/search/