KU agrees to temporarily modify tree-cutting plans after renewed protests
The voices of protesters who oppose KU’s decision to cut down trees on Lansdowne Drive were heard Wednesday, as Kentucky Utilities agreed to a compromise with the residents and said it will modify its cutting plan.
Mayor Linda Gorton, who negotiated with KU on behalf of the protesters, said KU agreed to cut down only the largest threatening trees. The protesters requested that smaller trees be left alone, which KU agreed to do for the next couple of days.
“This was a really important gathering out here today on Lansdowne Drive about the tree cutting,” Gorton said.
Gorton arrived at Lansdowne Drive near Westchester Drive just over an hour after the residents initially gathered to protest the continued tree cutting. After speaking with KU officials for nearly 30 minutes, she revealed the compromise to the protesters, who called it a victory for today and a step in the right direction.
“KU is very interested in sitting at the table again,” Gorton said. “That is really what the letter to the PSC and filing the injunction will help us with, is an opportunity to pause and get to the table to have more conversation.”
On Tuesday, Gorton and the city said they would file complaint with the Public Service Commission, which oversees utilities, and file for an injunction to stop the controversial clear-cutting. Gorton said the city’s law department is in the process of writing up the injunction so it’s in proper legal terms for a judge.
“The chief judge downtown knows it’s coming and it will more than likely be filed this afternoon, when it’s all legally proper, and then we’ll wait to see what happens,” Gorton said.
Multiple police officers were on Lansdowne Drive Wednesday in preparation to make arrests if necessary.
“I have eight officers working this sector today. I’m going to be honest with you, the whole side of the city, I don’t have eight officers that’s got all day to sit over here,” Commander Jesse Harris told protesters before Gorton arrived. “That’s eight officers that aren’t responding to domestic violence calls, accidents, murders if they occur, whatever else.”
One woman was arrested at a protest on Monday after refusing to leave the work site of the tree cutting job by KU. Laura Zimmerman, 64, was charged with third degree criminal trespassing and later released from jail.
“It was just disappointing,” Gorton said about Monday’s incident. “We all get that we need reliable electricity, that is not the question. The question is how we get there and what to do about trees because we all know trees are important infrastructure, and it is definitely progress.”
Zimmerman, along with many other protesters who were at Monday’s gathering, were at Wednesday’s protest.
This story was originally published December 1, 2021 at 11:59 AM.
