[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of
the City of Kingston 4-4-1995; approved 4-6-1995. Amendments noted
where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known as the "Municipal
Street Tree Ordinance of the City of Kingston."
A.
It is hereby found and declared that the City of Kingston,
New York, is especially situated in an area covered with a wide variety
of trees and shrubs that are a particularly vital part of the heritage
passed on to us by nature and our forefathers considering the city's
original Dutch name of "Wiltwyck," meaning wild woods.
B.
Trees provide a vital ecological resource for the
well-being of the community and therefore require preservation efforts.
Trees stabilize the soil on slopes thereby preventing siltation, erosion
and flooding; they control water pollution; they purify the air and
generate oxygen; they mitigate noise; their shade reduces energy consumption;
they provide habitat and food for birds and animals; and their colorful
seasonal characteristics enrich our total environment.
C.
Trees are economically beneficial in attracting new
industry, residents and visitors. Healthy trees of the right size
and species enhance the value and marketability of property and promote
the stability of neighborhoods.
Indiscriminate and uncontrolled destruction
of trees deprives the community of these benefits. The purpose of
this chapter is to preserve trees, minimize damage and removal and
encourage planting of trees, thereby enhancing the health, safety
and general welfare of the inhabitants of the City of Kingston. This
chapter is an amplification of the City Charter Tree Protection Ordinance,
as defined in the Charter of the City of Kingston under the title
"Trees and Plantings."
For the purpose of this chapter, the following
terms shall have the meanings given herein:
Any individual, partnership, corporation, municipality or
other entity, together with employees, officers, directors, agents,
independent contractors or any lessee or contract-vendee of a parcel
of property, which owns any real property or portion of real property
within the jurisdiction of the city.
The diameter (or caliper) of a tree measured at a point four
feet above the ground.
Includes any municipal park having an individual name.
The outer edge of a street or highway right-of-way.
The person owning such property as shown by the Tax Map of
the City of Kingston, New York.
.tif.png)
All trees now or hereafter growing on any street, park or
any other public place.
A living single stem tree which is three or more inches DBH.[1]
A written authorization to remove (a) tree(s) pursuant to
this chapter.
A minimum three-foot-by-three-foot planting pit whose surface
may be mulched or covered by a tree grate.
[Amended 12-16-1999 by L.L. No. 2-2000; approved 1-3-2000]
.tif.png)
The city may plant a street tree with the property owner's
permission within 20 feet of the curbline (outside of the official
right-of-way) in order to avoid overhead or underground utilities
and/or promote the growth of the tree.
[Added 12-16-1999 by L.L. No. 2-2000; approved 1-3-2000]
.tif.png)
All streets, parks and other city-owned property and all
land within any right-of-way of any street or highway.
Any act which will cause a tree to die within a three-year
period.
[1]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "tree lawn," which
immediately followed this definition, was repealed 6-6-2017, approved
6-8-2017'
A.
There is hereby created and established a Tree Commission
consisting of seven members to be appointed by the Mayor, at least
one of whom shall be either professionally trained or experienced
in the field of municipal arboriculture; one of whom shall be a member
of the Common Council; one of whom shall be a member of the Planning
Department or other appropriate City department; and one of whom shall
be a member of the Memorial Tree Fund, Inc. All lay members of the
commission shall be citizens and actual residents of the City of Kingston.
The member of the Common Council and the member of the Planning Department
or other City department shall be ex-officio members of the Commission
and shall have no vote on matters before the Commission. There shall
be five voting members. All members of the Commission shall serve
without pay.
[Amended 7-7-2020, approved 7-8-2020]
B.
Of the members of the Commission who are first appointed
pursuant to this chapter, two shall be designated to serve for terms
of two years; two shall be designated to serve for terms of three
years; and three shall be designated to serve for terms of four years.
Thereafter, the term of office shall be three years.
C.
The Tree Commission shall have power and it shall
be its duty:
(1)
To study problems and needs of the city in connection
with the tree planting program and to make recommendations to the
Mayor and/or his designee as to type and kind of trees to be planted
by the city;
(2)
To assist in the dissemination of news and information
regarding the protection, maintenance, removal and planting of trees
in the city;
(3)
To make recommendation to the Common Council as to
desirable legislation concerning the tree program and activities for
the municipality such as certification as "Tree City, USA";
[Amended 12-16-1999 by L.L. No. 2-2000, approved
1-3-2000]
(4)
To provide for the holding of regular and special
meetings and to adopt rules and regulations not inconsistent with
this chapter for the conduct of the meeting and business of the Commission.
The Commissions shall file a copy of the rules and regulations, and
any amendments thereto, with the City Clerk.
(5)
All determinations and decisions shall be by majority
vote.
(6)
To provide the Mayor with a recommendation upon his/her
receipt of an appeal; to meet within 10 business days of receipt of
a request for an interpretation of this chapter, or as otherwise necessary;
and to advise the Mayor on appeals from the issuance, denial, or revocation
of a tree permits. A special or emergency meeting may be convened
by either the Chairperson or any five members on two days notice.
All meetings of the Tree Commission shall be open to the public.
(7)
To assist with funding applications and development
of associated programs that are consistent with this chapter.
A.
The Tree Commission shall have the authority to formulate
and adopt a Master Street Tree Plan with the advice and approval of
the Common Council. The Master Street Tree Plan shall specify the
species of trees to be planted on each of the streets or other public
sites of the municipality. From and after the effective day of the
Master Street Tree Plan, or any amendment therefor, all planting shall
conform thereto.
B.
The Tree Commission with the approval of the Common
Council shall have the authority to amend, update or add to the Master
Street Tree Plan at any time that circumstances make it advisable.
[Amended 3-2-1999, approved 3-8-1999; 12-16-1999
by L.L. No. 2-2000, approved 1-3-2000]
A.
Public tree maintenance or planting permit. No person
shall plant, remove or otherwise disturb trees in public places without
first filing an application and procuring a permit from the Tree Commission.
The application shall be on a form designated by the Tree Commission
and shall contain such information and data as deemed reasonably necessary
to a fair determination of whether a permit should be issued. The
Tree Commission shall issue the permit provided for herein if, in
their judgment, the proposed work is necessary and desirable and the
proposed method and workmanship are satisfactory (there shall be no
fee assessed for such permits). When necessary, the Tree Commission
shall check with local utilities prior to issuance of permits.
B.
Public tree removal permit.
(1)
The Tree Commission shall have primary responsibility
for administering this chapter through the issuance, revocation or
denial of public tree permits.
(2)
Application for a public tree permit shall be made
in writing to the Tree Commission on prescribed forms available in
the City Hall.
(3)
A public tree permit for the removal of a public tree
shall normally be issued under the following conditions:
(a)
The location of the tree(s) clearly endangers
the health, safety and welfare, or the property of the general public,
the property owner of this adjoining property owner closest to the
tree(s).
(b)
The location of the tree(s) prevents the property
owner from undertaking a construction or alteration because the location
of the tree(s) substantially interferes with a permitted use of the
property and the construction or alteration cannot be reasonably adjusted
to accommodate the tree(s).
(c)
The tree(s), due to death or advanced age, disease,
blight, infestation, storm damage, accident or other condition, causes
undue hardship for the property owner to maintain it (them).
A.
It shall be the duty of any person or person owning
real property abutting on any street upon which property there are
trees or shrubs to trim or remove such trees so that they will not
obscure or interfere with the view of motorists entering any intersection
of the city, obstruct the passage of pedestrians on sidewalks or obstruct
the street lights or traffic signs.
[Amended 12-16-1999 by L.L. No. 2-2000 approved 1-3-2000]
B.
The owner of private property shall treat or remove
any trees suffering from a transmittable disease or insect infestation
which is on such private property, but may affect the health of trees
in public places.
C.
If the provisions of Subsections A and B are not complied with, the Tree Commission or designee may serve written notice to comply with the provisions of said subsection upon the owner of such property. The Aldermember in whose ward such tree or trees exist shall also receive a copy of the written notice to comply.
D.
Such notice shall be affixed or posted upon said property,
and a copy of such notice shall be mailed by certified mail, return
receipt requested, to such owner, at his last know address. Such notice
shall require compliance with provisions of said subsection within
30 days after the time of posting of such notice as aforesaid. Compliance
shall be requested within five days after the time of posting such
notice in the case of hazardous conditions.
E.
If the person upon whom such notice is served fails,
neglects or refuses to trim, treat or remove such trees within 30
days after the date of mailing or posting of such notice as aforesaid
or within five days after the date of mailing or posting of such notice
in the case of hazardous conditions, the Tree Foreman shall cause
such trees on such private property to be trimmed, treated or removed.
F.
The actual cost to the city of such trimming, treating
or removal plus a sum equal to 5% of such actual cost for inspection
and other additional cost in connection therewith shall be certified
by the Superintendent of Public Works and/or his designee to the City
Comptroller and the amount thereof shall become and be a lien upon
the property on which such tree was located, or if the tree was in
a public right-of-way on the abutting property owner, the total amount
thereof shall be added to and become part of the next annual assessment
roll at the time and in the manner prescribed by the Charter of the
city and subject to all the provisions thereof.
[Amended 12-16-1999 by L.L. No. 2-2000; approved 1-3-2000]
Removal of any designated tree shall require
the following actions:
A.
The tree trunk, limbs, stump and any roots remaining
above grade shall be removed completely and to a depth below grade
that will permit replanting another tree, minimum of 12 inches.
[Amended 12-16-1999 by L.L. No. 2-2000; approved 1-3-2000]
B.
The disturbed area be backfilled and replanted.
C.
The applicant shall remain responsible for the acts
of his employees, contractors or subcontractors.
D.
In the case of a tree destroyed or removed illegally,
another tree of comparable species shall be replanted at the expense
of the property owner.
E.
Tree removal and restoration shall conform to guidelines
promulgated by the Tree Commission pursuant to this chapter.
A.
Recommended trees. The following species of trees
have been determined to be suitable for maintaining a vigorous urban
forest based upon city wide tree surveys conducted in 1982 and 1990.
It will be the responsibility of the Tree Commission to maintain and
revise this list as necessary.
(1)
Trees for three-foot-by-three-foot tree pits:
(a)
Sargent crabapple.
(b)
Lavelle hawthorn.
(c)
Spring snow crabapple.
(d)
Whitehouse or redspire flowering pear.
(e)
Princess Diana serviceberry.
[Added 12-16-1999 by L.L. No. 2-2000; approved 1-3-2000]
(f)
Ivory silk Japanese tree lilac.
[Added 12-16-1999 by L.L. No. 2-2000; approved 1-3-2000]
(g)
Flame amur maple.
[Added 12-16-1999 by L.L. No. 2-2000; approved 1-3-2000]
(2)
Trees for four-foot-by-four-foot tree pits:
(a)
Japanese stewartia.
(b)
Pyramidal european hornbeam.
(c)
Regent Japanese pagoda tree.
(d)
Hardy rubber tree.
(e)
Gingko - male trees only.
(f)
Burr oak.
(g)
Sky rocket English oak.
[Added 12-16-1999 by L.L. No. 2-2000; approved 1-3-2000]
(h)
Robin hill pink serviceberry.
[Added 12-16-1999 by L.L. No. 2-2000; approved 1-3-2000]
(3)
Trees for five-foot-by-five-foot tree pits or larger
tree pits:
(a)
Katsura tree.
(b)
Red oak.
(c)
Patmore green ash.
[Amended 12-16-1999 by L.L. No. 2-2000; approved 1-3-2000]
(d)
Tulip tree.
(e)
Littleleaf linden.
(f)
American elm - disease resistant varieties,
i.e., Liberty, Washington, Delaware, etc.
(g)
Bauman horse chestnut.
[Added 12-16-1999 by L.L. No. 2-2000; approved 1-3-2000]
(h)
Dynasty lace bark elm.
[Added 12-16-1999 by L.L. No. 2-2000; approved 1-3-2000]
(i)
Legacy sugar maple.
[Added 12-16-1999 by L.L. No. 2-2000; approved 1-3-2000]
(j)
Sweet shadow sugar maple.
[Added 12-16-1999 by L.L. No. 2-2000; approved 1-3-2000]
(k)
Silver mountain linden.
[Added 12-16-1999 by L.L. No. 2-2000; approved 1-3-2000]
(4)
Trees recommended under utility lines, with a three-foot-by-three
foot tree pit:
[Added 12-16-1999 by L.L. No. 2-2000; approved 1-3-2000]
(a)
Trident maple.
(b)
Hedge maple.
(c)
Flame maple.
(d)
Tatarian maple.
(e)
Autumn brilliance serviceberry.
(f)
Cole's select serviceberry.
(g)
Princess Diana serviceberry.
(h)
Snowcloud serviceberry.
(i)
Crimson cloud hawthorn.
(j)
Lavalle hawthorn.
(k)
Snowbird hawthorn.
(l)
Toba hawthorn.
(m)
Washington hawthorn.
(n)
Amur maackia.
(o)
Adirondack crabapple.
(p)
Golden raindrops crabapple.
(q)
Red barton crabapple.
(r)
Red jewel crabapple.
(s)
Sentinel crabapple.
(t)
Red cascade mountain ash.
(u)
Ivory silk Japanese tree lilac.
(v)
Summer charm tree lilac.
B.
Prohibited trees. No person shall plant or cause to
be placed on or within any right-of-way or easement of the city any
of the following trees:
(1)
Willow - salicaceae salix species.
(2)
Poplar - salicaceae populus species.
(3)
Conifers.
(4)
Silver maple - acer saccharinum (no cultivars).
(5)
Box elder - acer negundo.
(6)
Walnut - juglans species.
(7)
Mulberry - morus species.
(8)
Gingko - gingko species, female trees.
(9)
Apple - malus species (not including those varieties
commonly referred to as flowering).
(10)
Peach - prunus species (not including those
varieties commonly referred to as "flowering").
(11)
Pear - pyrus species (not including those varieties
commonly referred to as "flowering").
(12)
Plum - prunus species (not including those varieties
commonly referred to as "flowering").
In case of officially declared emergencies, such as windstorms, ice storms, or other disasters, the requirements of § 373-8 shall be waived so that the requirements of this chapter would in no way hinder private or public work to restore order in the municipality. This work shall follow maintenance standard as outlined by the Superintendent of Public Works and/or his designee.
Any person violating or failing to comply with
the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to civil penalty not
to exceed $250 not including value of replacement tree(s). The penalty
may be collected by the action against the responsible person commenced
by the Corporation Counsel of the city. For the purpose of this chapter,
each tree affected by noncompliance with the provisions of this chapter
shall constitute a separate violation.
