Nothing but nets

Nylon netting draped over trees in Washington Square Park in Marysville are part of an environmental review for a proposed retail development in a section of the park.

Crew members of Richard's Tree Service of Yuba City on Friday were placing the netting over trees to keep raptors from nesting in the limbs while the review is being completed. The nesting birds could conflict with work being done in the park during the review, said Richards' arborist Andrew Beoger.

A section of the 159-year-old park is undergoing the environmental impact review for a proposed retail development. The review comes after a judge ruled last year that the city had not complied with the California Environmental Quality Act in approving the abandonment of a portion of the park without the review.

Chico-based Main and Main Investments LLC plans to put stores on part of the parkland and on adjoining land where two vacant motels stood until they were demolished last year.

A recent draft proposal from Main and Main includes three commercial buildings and off-street parking for 145 cars in a portion of the park.

Work should continue on the 15 trees through the weekend, said Beoger. The park is on the south side of Highway 20 at the corner of 10th Street

The trees, mostly elm, range from 30 feet to over 100 feet high, said Fred Cox, owner of Richard's.

The EIR is being done by the city of Marysville and paid by the developer, said Dave Lamon, Marysville city services director.

The draft EIR is available for public review at Marysville City Hall, 526 C St., and the Yuba County Library, 303 Second St., or purchased on a CD.

The public comment period on the document ends Feb. 26.