Your Neighborhood Tree. Is it a landmark, yet?

First I would like to say thank you for taking the time to read my story. Hopefully after you read this you may have an idea to help me.

Last year I woke up to the sound of a chainsaw. It turned out the main tree on my lot was being terribly cut up. This large tree is 2/3 mine and 1/3 of the developers on the property next to me. After calling him and protesting to the harm that was done he insisted that he would sue for the right to cut it down. He planned at least to remove what was on his property which would have caused the tree to tumble on my house. My ultimate goal was to save the tree. It has been rain cover and shade for this neighborhood for atleast 80 yrs. The original owners planted it when they bought the house. I know this because I spoke to the son of the original owners. He was torn up that they would threaten the tree. When I knew I couldn't afford a lawyer I did what I knew best. I emailed the city council and many news resources. I ended up getting a knock at my door from Kathleen Merryman. She wanted to help save my tree. She knew my tree and admired it. She connected me to Kathy Sutalo who just happened to work for metro parks, but better yet she was a neighbor. I was already working with Dennis Thompkins to have my tree appraised. With their efforts my tree made it into the local paper and the city put a hold on the developers permits until things were settled. Eventually we had a meeting. Kathy, Kathleen, Dennis, a few of my family members, and I was there with a representative of the developers. At the end of our meeting the developer learned a little about trees, but we also came to an agreement to serve both parties. We would keep our tree and they would get their permits back. The final agreement was they kept their driveway where it was and they would leave a twelve to fifteen foot unpaved radius around the tree. Unfortunately we didn't get it in writing.

Last week I discovered that the driveway entrance was moved as close to the tree as they could get. They asphalted yesterday and kept the asphalt four feet from the tree. Kathy Sutalo is not happy with this and neither am I. We have tried to get the city to help us with the issue, but they seemed to have backed down. Now according to the city it is a civil matter. Our mutual concern is the city is knowingly putting my family, anyone who uses the sidewalk, and streets in harms way. Kathy feels that if we act now the tree can have many years left. If we stay as we are it may only have a few before it may need to be cut down to keep my family safe. Cutting the tree down was the goal of the developer and mine is to continue to live under it. This tree is loved in this neighborhood. I have seen people stop in their cars to use the shade during their lunch. A few of the workers of the project next door have cooled under the tree. If it is pouring down outside stand under the tree and you won't get as wet. Not to mention go into my neighbors house on a hot sunny day and then come into mine. This tree serves a large part of the community and all I am doing is trying to keep it that way.