[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Hamburg
2-18-1997. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this policy is to provide for the progressive management
of the urban forest on public land and, if advantageous, on private land in
the Village of Hamburg, pertinent to planting, removing, replanting, pruning,
nurturing and protecting trees, as well as protecting the structures around
trees, with thoughtful regard for balance between aesthetics and practicality.
Village residents and business people acknowledge the beauty and attractiveness
of tree-lined streets and shaded parks. They appreciate enhanced property
values created by the fullness of mature trees along the right-of-way, sometimes
called "curb appeal." They are aware of the environmental advantages of gas-absorbing,
noise-suppressing foliage on busy streets, but they also recognize that street
trees can interfere with utility services and sound sidewalks. Common sense
dictates that any successful community tree plan must accommodate the need
to beautify and to preserve service.
A.
The Village of Hamburg Department of Public Works is
authorized to manage all aspects of this policy with regard to plantings in
the area known as the right-of-way, development strip, tree lawn or street
lawn. Plantings in parks, gardens and other public places will be managed
by the Department of Public Works and the Parks and Recreation Department.
Street medians will be treated in the same way as the right-of-way.
B.
The Environmental Commission is authorized and requested
to devise and submit an annual planting plan to the Village Board prior to
budget preparation time.
C.
The Village Board will budget and expend funds annually
to ensure the proper management of trees in public places and, if needed,
on private property.
D.
The expenditure of funds for tree management under this
policy may include the cost of materials, equipment and labor required to
produce the most efficacious results.
E.
Trees removed for cause from public places must be replaced in a timely (normally two years) and thoughtful manner and in accordance with this policy, or the property owner nearest the removed tree must be notified that the tree will not be replaced because of the restrictions in Subsection F.
F.
Location, spacing and species of trees to be planted
initially of as replacements for trees removed will be determined by the restrictions
imposed by the proximity of utility equipment, immediate environment of the
site, growth characteristics of the trees and the desired aesthetic effect.
G.
Trees may be planted in the street lawn of streets which
previously had no trees planted in the street lawn of those streets, curbed
or uncurbed.
J.
Under this policy, suitable street trees shall be those
named in Appendix A,[3] and they shall be bare root, approximately two to three inches
caliper-measured and have their initial bifurcation or lowest branches at
least six feet above ground level. Balled trees may be substituted for bare
root trees.
[3]
Editor's Note: Appendix materials are on file in the village offices.
L.
Contractors, builders and developers must plant street
trees in accordance with this policy, cognizant of the need to plant one street
tree, or more, for each lot developed or redeveloped or an alternate as determined
by the Planning Commission.
M.
General welfare of the community dictates that trees
may not be planted:
(1)
In a street lawn less in depth than four feet, except
in the central business district;
(2)
Within six feet of on-ground or underground individual
lot utility equipment;
(3)
Within eight feet of a sidewalk when a tree is planted
by the village on private land;
(4)
In a location where its expected mature height would
be equal to the height of the overhead high voltage wires;
(5)
Within four feet of a ground or unground stump;
(6)
Off-center of the determined center of the street lawn;
(7)
Within six feet of the outer edge of a driveway approach;
(8)
Within detrimental proximity of an existing healthy tree;
nor
(9)
Within 50 feet of stop signs when planted in the street
lawn.
N.
When a tree is planted under this policy, the person
most capable of doing so must be informed in writing that he or she is expected
to water and care for the tree according to the instructions in the written
notification. (Appendix C)[5]
[5]
Editor's Note: Appendix materials are on file in the village offices.
O.
Besides emergency or resident-requested pruning, annual
pruning of public trees must be scheduled and accomplished by the Department
of Public Works, assisted with long-range advisement by the Environmental
Commission, and cognizant of the advisability of pruning newly planted trees
on a two-year cycle.
Q.
The Village of Hamburg will continue to remove dead,
dying or dangerous trees located in public places, as determined by the Superintendent
of Public Works. All others are restrained from removing, planting, pruning
or treating trees in public places, as prohibited according to village law.[7] (See also Appendix E for utility company notice)[8]
