Neighbors in the northeast side subdivision say they are worried limbs from the rotting trees are falling or dangling on power lines.
Members of the Scenic Wood Civic Association say they've been complaining about the hazard the trees are posing near the power lines to the city's Department of Neighborhoods and CenterPoint Energy. The neighbors say they are mainly concerned about trees falling on power lines behind homes backing up to a wooded area between the 5500 block and 5800 block of Little York Road.
Scenic Wood Civic Association's president, Otis Myles, tells Eyewitness News homeowners in the subdivision because especially concerned about the issue back in August of this year. That's when a dead tree fell, damaging a power line, causing a blackout in the subdivision and ripping the meter box from a neighbor's home.
A Department of Neighborhoods worker told Eyewitness News the city has received several complaints about dead trees in that neighborhood. He says the department is investigating those complaints. A spokeswoman from that department is investigating the complaints, as well.
A spokeswoman from CenterPoint Energy told Eyewitness News its vegetation team was sent out to inspect the area. We're told workers determined the dead trees are outside the utility company's easement. CenterPoint Energy says it's willing to cut down the dead trees near the power lines, but can only do it with the consent of the property owner, Suburban Homes.
While we were in the neighborhood investigating the issue, we spotted a worker with the city of Houston's Department of Neighborhoods. He just happened to be tagging the lots for violations, including excessive weeds and dangerous trees.
The property owner has yet to return my calls for comment about the dead trees. CenterPoint Energy says it's just waiting for that company to sign a petition allowing them to start the work.
Residents can report dead trees at www.centerpointenergy.com/trees.
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