[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Carmel 3-24-1982
by L.L. No. 2-1982 (Ch. 54 of the 1972 Code). Amendments
noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known and cited as the "Tree Conservation Law
of the Town of Carmel."
Since it has been established that trees stabilize the soil and control
water pollution by preventing soil erosion and flooding, absorb air pollution,
provide oxygen, yield advantageous micro-climatic effects, have an intrinsic
aesthetic quality, offer a natural barrier to noise and provide a natural
habitat for the wildlife and that the indiscriminate removal of trees may
deprive the people of the Town of Carmel of these benefits and disrupt fundamental
ecological systems in which trees are integrally involved, it is therefore
the purpose of this chapter to protect and regulate the planting and cutting
of trees in the Town of Carmel.
It is hereby declared to be the policy of the Town of Carmel to conserve,
protect and regulate the planting and cutting of trees which are an integral
part of the natural resources and environment of the Town of Carmel in order
to enhance the health, safety and welfare of the people and their overall
economic and social well-being and to improve the plans for the protection,
regulation and planting of trees and forest management within the Town.
Whenever used in this chapter, unless a different meaning clearly appears
from the context or unless a different meaning is stated in a definition applicable
to only a portion of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
Town of Carmel Environmental Conservation Board.
Any individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation, including
public utilities, any unit of government other than the Town of Carmel or
any other legal entity.
Town of Carmel Planning Board.
One who has a minimum of a bachelor of science degree in forestry
from a four-year college accredited by the Society of American Foresters or
who possesses qualifications for the practice of forestry essentially equivalent
to graduation from a school of forestry recognized by the Society of American
Foresters, and is employed in the practice of forestry.
Any building designed or occupied in whole or in part as a dwelling
for one or two families.
The division of any parcel of land into two or more lots, plots,
sites or other division of land, with or without streets, including any changes
of property line.
Superintendent of Highways of the Town of Carmel.
The Town of Carmel Town Board.
A.
Control of trees on street and Town property.
(1)
No person shall do or cause to be done upon trees in
any Town of Carmel right-of-way, street, road or highway without first obtaining
written permission from the Superintendent of Highways and the Town Board
any of the following acts:
(a)
Cut, trim, break, climb with spikes, disturb the roots
or otherwise intentionally injure, misuse or spray with harmful chemicals
or remove any living tree five inches or more in diameter, measured 4 1/2
feet above the ground, or remove any device installed to support or protect
such trees.
(b)
Plant any tree.
(c)
Fasten any rope, wire, electrical equipment, sign or
other device to a tree or any guard about such a tree or shrub.
(d)
Pile, heap or store any building materials, soil, debris
or any other matter or make any mortar or cement within a distance of six
feet of a tree.
(e)
Permit any oil, gas or any other injurious chemical to
come into contact with the stem or roots of any tree.
(2)
Where a person desires to control the growth of trees
on a Town highway, street, road or right-of-way by removing or pruning the
trees, then the person shall apply to the Superintendent of Highways and the
Town Board and shall outline the work to be performed. If the applicant fails
to comply with the written order of the Highway Superintendent and resolution
of the Town Board, the applicant shall be subject to the penalties as provided
in this chapter.
B.
Control of trees in land development. Where a person
plans to develop property in the Town of Carmel as a residential subdivision,
multifamily residential development or industrial or commercial development,
he shall not remove any live trees until the following conditions have been
met:
(1)
Application. Where a person plans to develop property as a residential subdivision, multifamily residential development or industrial or commercial development which requires the approval of the Carmel Planning Board, then such person shall submit to the Planning Board, simultaneously with the application for approval of such development, 12 copies of a tree plan designating the trees to be removed, trees to be saved and trees to be planted and showing the location, size and types thereof. Upon receipt of a completed application, the Planning Board shall forward a set of all pertinent materials to the Environmental Conservation Board for its review and recommendations. All trees to be planted must comply with the requirements and specifications contained in §§ 142-6 and 142-7 of this chapter. In considering the development application, the Planning Board shall require the applicant, as a condition of such approval, to conform to the aforesaid tree plan, as approved by the Planning Board. In lieu of a separate tree plan, the Planning Board may permit the information required to be shown on a tree plan to be shown on the site development plan or subdivision map, whichever the case may be, in which case such site development plan or subdivision map shall be deemed the "tree plan." In considering subdivision applications, the information required to be shown on the tree plan shall be limited to areas within 50 feet of street rights-of-way, drainage facilities, utilities and other similar improvements.
(2)
General.
(a)
Where a person plans to construct a road or utilities
in connection with a proposed residential subdivision, he shall cause a preliminary
stakeout to be made of the proposed road(s) and utilities. Subsequent to such
stakeout, such person shall meet in the field with the Town Engineer, who
shall designate all trees to be saved within the right-of-way or other work
areas, as well as within an area 50 feet adjacent to such right-of-way or
work areas.
(b)
Where a parcel of land proposed to be developed contains
no wooded areas or, in the opinion of the Planning Board, has sparse wooded
areas, the Planning Board may require the planting of trees within the road
improvement right-of-way and adjacent to other improvement work areas.
(3)
Certificate of occupancy. A certificate of occupancy shall not be issued for any improvement shown on a plan approved by the Planning Board until all trees designated by the Planning Board for preservation and all trees to be planted shall in fact be in existence, except where, by reason of weather, season or other circumstances, it is impossible for the trees to be planted, in which case the provisions of § 142-6B of this chapter shall apply. In the event that any trees designated by the Planning Board for preservation have been removed without the Planning Board's prior approval, then the Planning Board may require such trees to be replaced.
A.
Trees shall be planted in accordance with the approved
tree plan, based on the potential root growth of the tree to be planted, but
in no case closer than six feet to any road, parking area, structure or other
improvement or in any manner which will limit sight distance along any road
below the specified minimum in applicable Town regulations.
B.
Where by reason of weather, season or other circumstances
it is impossible for a person to plant trees in accordance with this chapter,
such person may deposit in escrow with the Town Clerk an amount to be determined
and specified by the Planning Board equivalent to five times the cost of purchasing
and planting such trees. In the event that the trees are not planted within
six months of the making of the deposit, then the Town of Carmel is authorized
to contract in the name of the applicant for the purchase and planting of
the trees shown on the applicable tree plan and to pay for the cost thereof
from the money deposited in escrow. Any balance shall be returned to the person
making the deposit upon completion of the work. Any deficiency shall be immediately
due and payable to the Town of Carmel by the owner of the property upon which
the trees are planted.
A.
Trees shall be balled and burlapped and shall not be
less than two to 2 1/2 inches caliper, measured six inches above the
top of the ball, nor less than 10 feet high. They must be well-branched, the
branches to start not less than six feet from the crown of the root system.
Trees shall be nursery-grown, and a nursery inspection certificate shall be
available covering all trees.
B.
In general, excavations for planting shall be at least
one foot deeper and two feet wider than the ball of earth supplied with the
tree. The pit shall be rock free and refilled with seven parts topsoil and
one part humus and the parent soil discarded. Hardpan shall be loosened for
an additional 12 inches from the bottom of the pit. Trees shall be adequately
fertilized and watered at the time of planting and mulched with three inches
of approved mulch immediately after planting. Mulch shall be placed within
a topsoil saucer three inches deep and as large as the pit in diameter.
C.
Trees shall be staked and guyed immediately after planting.
Stakes shall be cedar or oak eight feet long, no less than two inches in diameter
and driven into the bottom of the tree pit. Trees shall be guyed to the stakes
using No. 10 wire covered with rubber hose or equal. The wire shall be fastened
to the stake in such a manner that it will not slip or come into contact with
the tree trunk. The trunk of the tree shall be protected with tree wrapping
paper.
D.
Removal of debris is required. The property must be left
in a neat and orderly condition in accordance with good and accepted planting
and tree surgery practice.
E.
Trees shall not be planted between May 15 and September
15 without specific authorization of the Planning Board.
F.
Notice must be given to the Planning Board 30 days prior
to the start of planting in order that the plants and trees may be inspected
and approved for tree variety, condition, size and quality. All work shall
be subject to the general supervision and approval of the Planning Board and
the Town Engineer.
G.
Any tree improperly planted or not meeting the specifications
of the tree plan and this chapter will be removed upon written demand of the
Planning Board and replaced with properly planted tree(s) that meet the specifications
of the tree plan and this chapter. Any tree that does not survive or is in
an unhealthy condition at the end of one year shall be replaced by the owner
of the property at no cost to the Town of Carmel. Said replacement shall be
made within 60 days following written demand for such replacement or within
a more extended period as may be specified by the Planning Board.
A.
Permit. A permit from the Environmental Conservation
Board of the Town of Carmel shall be required for all live tree cutting of
trees greater than six inches in diameter at breast height (DBH) conducted
in the Town of Carmel, except:
(1)
When done by a person in accordance with a plan approved
by the Planning Board for the development of property as a residential subdivision,
multifamily residential development, industrial or commercial development;
(2)
When done by a person in connection with a building permit
issued by the Building Inspector and done solely for the construction of a
residential building, driveway, sewage disposal, water supply or other accessory
appurtenances;
(3)
When done by a person within a Town of Carmel right-of-way,
street, road or highway with the written permission of the Superintendent
of Highways and the Town Board;
(4)
When done by a person on a parcel of land improved by
such person's residence and on which there are 10 or fewer trees cut
on such parcel per year; or
(5)
When done by a person on any other parcel of land on
which there are five or fewer trees cut on such parcel per year.
B.
Waiver of permit.
(1)
The Environmental Conservation Board shall have the authority
to waive the requirement that a person obtain a tree-cutting permit if it
finds that the proposed tree cutting is designed and will be conducted in
accordance with the guidelines set forth herein, will not cause or contribute
to soil erosion or flooding, will not affect a wetland as defined in the Town
of Carmel Freshwater Wetlands Law[1] and where said proposed tree cutting will not result in the cutting
of more than 50 trees or more than five trees per acre. For said waiver, the
applicant shall submit to the Board a written request, in five copies, setting
forth a description of the proposed tree cutting, the property affected by
said tree cutting and a sketch map showing the boundaries of the property
and the location of the trees to be cut.
(2)
In considering a request for a waiver of a tree-cutting
permit, the Board shall consider the guidelines, standards and other requirements
of this chapter, as well as any other applicable municipal regulations.
(3)
No fee shall be required for making a request for waiver
of a tree-cutting permit.
C.
Permit procedures. Before submitting the information
required in order to obtain a permit to conduct a tree-cutting operation,
the owner of the property or his representative shall meet with the Board
to express his general intent and to determine the information required by
the Board upon submission of an application for the permit. In order to obtain
a permit to conduct a tree-cutting operation, 10 copies of the following information
shall be submitted to the Board:
(1)
A written summary of the proposed operation to include:
(2)
A sketch map drawn to scale, with the scale noted thereon,
to show:
(a)
Boundaries of property.
(b)
Access roads into property and proposed roads and skid
trails in the property.
(c)
The area within the property where cutting will occur.
(d)
The location and size of product loading areas.
(e)
The Tax Map, block and lot number(s) of the property.
(g)
If the tree-cutting operation is to be conducted in stages,
each stage shall be shown on the sketch map.
(3)
A written statement from the landowner that each tree
to be removed has been designated with paint or other distinctive means at
two points so as to be readily visible. One point shall be low enough on the
tree so as to be visible on the stump after the tree is removed.
(4)
If the parcel of land upon which a person wishes to conduct
a tree-cutting operation is 10 acres or greater in size, the Board may require
that the information submitted by the applicant and the area where the trees
are to be cut be reviewed by a professional forester who shall be retained
by the Town, at the expense of the applicant. If the parcel of land upon which
the tree cutting is to be conducted is greater than 25 acres and the average
number of trees to be cut per acre is five trees or greater, then the review
by a professional forester shall be required before a permit may be issued
by the Board.
(5)
The Board, upon submission of an application for a permit,
shall charge and collect a fee which shall be established annually by the
Town Board and shall be on file in the office of the Town Clerk.
[Amended 11-26-1986]
(6)
Public hearing. Within 45 days after the receipt of the
information required to be submitted in accordance with this chapter and if
the Board has not granted a waiver of the permit requirement, the Board shall
hold a public hearing, which hearing shall be advertised at least once in
the official newspaper of the Town at least five days before such hearing.
(7)
Action by board. Within 45 days after the closing of
such hearing, the Board shall approve, with or without modification, or disapprove
the issuance of such permit; the grounds of a modification, if any, or the
grounds for disapproval shall be stated upon the records of the Board. Notwithstanding
the foregoing provisions, the time in which the Board must take action may
be extended by mutual consent of the applicant and the Board.
(8)
Effect of inaction. In the event that the Board fails
to take action within the time prescribed therefor, the permit shall be deemed
issued and a certificate of the Town Clerk of the Town of Carmel as to the
failure by the Board to take action within such prescribed time shall be issued
on demand and shall be sufficient in lieu of a written permit.
(9)
Duration of permit. Permits issued pursuant to this chapter
shall expire within 12 months of the date of issuance. A permit may be extended
by the Board for one additional period of 12 months. In making a determination
on extension, the Board shall make a complete review of all plans and make
an examination of all work accomplished.
D.
Guidelines. All operations shall be designed and conducted
in accordance with the policy and purpose of this chapter and shall adhere
to the following guidelines:
(1)
Stream crossing shall be kept to a minimum and shall
be designed and planned so that streams are crossed at the most direct route
with crossing at bends and through pools avoided. Crossing sites shall be
at locations with low, stable banks, a firm stream bottom and
gentle slopes along the approaches. Temporary culverts, bridges or runways
should be used where stream bottoms or banks would be otherwise damaged and
shall be removed after use.
(2)
Trees shall not be cut within 10 feet of stream banks
except at stream crossings. Skidding shall not take place up and down any
stream channel. Skidders shall be kept back at least 50 feet from all streams
and 100 feet from all streams in the event that the slopes exceed 10%. Trees
shall be felled so that tops land away from streams. Debris shall be kept
out of any water.
(3)
Roads and skid trails shall be located, designed and
built on dry, well-drained spots and off of steep slopes. Running water shall
be diverted off roads and primary skid trails when slopes exceed 10%. All
roads shall be set back at least 100 feet from streams, ponds, lakes, swampy
areas, marshes and other wetlands where slopes are less than 30% and 150 feet
where slopes are steeper than 30%.
(4)
Where slopes exceed 30%, logs should be winched off,
skid trails should be minimized and such slopes should be logged during dry
weather when soils are dry or in winter when the ground is frozen and snow
covered. After logging, roads and primary skid trails should be regraded and
diversion devices installed as necessary.
(5)
Landings shall be located so as to avoid erosion by keeping
such landings out of low spots and poorly drained places. Landings shall be
located on gently sloping ground that provides good drainage. Landings shall
be set back at least 200 feet from streams, ponds, lakes, swampy areas and
marshes. Landing areas shall be graded, leveled and reseeded after use.
(6)
Wherever possible, landings shall be located at least
200 feet from all roads. Access roads to such landing areas should be curved
and narrowed so as to reduce visibility from the road. Landings shall be cleared
after use of all debris and junk and shall be regraded and reseeded after
use.
(7)
All logging debris shall be kept off all public roads
and rights-of-way and shall be at least 20 feet from the public right-of-way.
All log piles shall be kept back at least 20 feet from all rights-of-way.
(8)
Within 100 feet of the edge of the area being cut, the
following additional guidelines shall be adhered to:
(a)
Trees shall be directionally felled so that the tops
land away from the road.
(b)
Partly fallen or hungup trees shall be pulled down and
removed.
(c)
Understory vegetation shall be protected.
(d)
Skid trails shall be kept off the one-hundred-foot-wide
setback strip.
(e)
Trees shall be cut lightly within such one-hundred-foot
setback area.
(f)
Stumps shall be cut low to the ground.
(g)
All debris shall be removed within 100 feet of any right-of-way
and within 100 feet of the edge of the area where the tree-cutting operation
was conducted.
E.
The following standards shall apply to all operations
requiring a permit:
(1)
No harvesting or cutting operations or removal of products
shall take place between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. nor on Sundays.
(2)
The Board may require the following additional standards
be invoked, where necessary:
(3)
The Board may impose such other additional standards
as they may be warranted by specific circumstances.
F.
To ensure compliance by the permittee with the conditions
of the permit and the standards set forth in this chapter, a cash deposit
shall be submitted to the Town, the amount of which deposit shall be 10 times
the amount of the permit fee required to be paid pursuant to this chapter.
Upon completion of all work required to be performed pursuant to the permit,
the approved plans and this chapter, the applicant shall so notify the Board.
The Board shall make, or cause to be made, an inspection to determine if all
such work has been completed. The Board shall make a report to the Town Board,
upon the completion of its investigation, describing the degree to which the
operation is completed, together with its recommendation as to the reduction
and/or release of the cash deposit.
G.
In the event that a property has received an exemption
under § 480-a of the Real Property Tax Law of the State of New York,
the Board may waive any or all of the requirements hereunder, in its absolute
and sole discretion.
This chapter shall be enforced by the Building Inspector and Wetlands
Inspector of the Town of Carmel. It shall be the duty of such Inspectors to
issue notices of violation of this chapter and, with the approval of the Town
Board, to take all necessary legal steps to enforce this chapter. The Wetlands
Inspector is hereby authorized to issue appearance tickets in connection with
the enforcement of this chapter.
Any person who violates this chapter or fails to comply with any conditions
of a permit issued by the Planning Board shall be subject, upon conviction,
to a fine not to exceed $250 or to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 15
days, or both.
