[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of
the City of Waterloo 10-19-1987 by Ord. No. 87-6 as §§ 8.14
and 8.20 of the 1987 Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 2-15-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-03]
The Public Works and Property Committee shall,
subject to the supervision and control of the Council, and except
as herein provided, have jurisdiction and direction over all trees
planted and growing in and upon City-owned property; that part of
every street, the grade of which has been established, lying between
the lot line and the curb; and trees on any property which may in
any way have effect upon public property and upon the public welfare
of the City, and for the planting, care, maintenance, protection and
removal thereof. The Committee may make such rules and regulations
as it may deem advisable for carrying out the purpose of this chapter.
[Amended 2-15-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-03]
A.
Trees standing
in and upon any public street or place, or upon any lot or land adjacent
thereto, and having branches projecting into the public street or
place shall, under the supervision of the Committee, be kept trimmed
by the owner or owners or occupants of the property on or in front
of which such trees are growing so that the lowest branches projecting
over the public street or alley will provide a clearance of not less
than 14 feet and over all other places not less than nine feet from
the ground. This provision shall not apply to newly planted trees,
provided that they do not interfere with persons upon the public street
or place or obstruct the light of any streetlight. Any tree or trees
not trimmed, as herein provided, shall be deemed hazardous.
B.
Wood disposal. Any wood from trees growing on City property, including
tree lawns, which are designated by the City Forester to be cut and
removed, shall be the property of the City and shall be disposed of
appropriately or stacked and stored for the purpose of resale to the
highest bidder.
[Added 12-17-2020 by Ord.
No. 2020-06]
A.
Permit required. No trees, except the types recommended
by the Committee, shall be planted in or upon any public street or
place. Trees shall be planted only after a written permit has been
received from the Committee, which permit shall state the name of
the applicant, his address, the property on which the trees are to
be planted, and the type to be planted. The trees shall be planted
in such manner that they shall be equidistant between the curbline
and the sidewalk. The distance between the trees shall not be less
than 35 feet.
B.
Trees on newly opened streets. On newly opened streets,
the Tree Committee shall have the authority to designate the types
of trees and the manner in which they shall be planted and such other
shrubs and bushes as the Committee shall approve.
C.
Trees planted in the public right-of-way shall be planted no closer
than 40 feet to the nearest intersection or 10 feet to any driveway
opening, buried cable or other utility. No permit will be issued if
the tree lawn, defined as the public right-of-way between a public
street and a public sidewalk, is less than six feet wide. Similarly,
no permit will be issued for the planting of a tree beneath utility
lines.
[Added 2-20-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-02]
A.
All dead,
hazardous and infected trees in the public right-of-way will be removed
by the City at the expense of the City. All other trees in the public
right-of-way shall be removed at the expense of the owner of the abutting
property. If trees are removed by the owner of the abutting property,
he shall cause all stumps to be removed and the area cleaned of all
branches, leaves and other debris. If such is not done in a manner
satisfactory to the Tree Committee, the Committee may order the Director
of Public Works to do so and may charge the expense to the abutting
property, pursuant to § 66.0627, Wis. Stats.
B.
If a tree is removed from a tree lawn less than six feet wide, a
tree will be provided by the City at 50% of the municipal cost to
property owners and will be planted on the property owner's front
lawn, providing that the Public Works Director determines that the
property has sufficient front yard space to accommodate a tree. All
municipally provided trees shall become the full responsibility of
the property owner.
[Added 2-20-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-02]
This chapter shall not give the Tree Committee
authority to trespass on private land without the consent of the owner.
