[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Thomaston
3-26-1987 as L.L. No. 3-1987 (Ch. 136 of the 1980 Code). Amendments noted
where applicable.]
The intent of this chapter is to preserve and protect trees and, by
so doing, aid in the stabilization of soil by the prevention of erosion and
sedimentation; reduce stormwater runoff and the costs associated therewith
and replenish groundwater supplies; aid in the removal of carbon dioxide and
in the generation of oxygen in the atmosphere; provide a buffer and screen
against noise pollution; provide protection against severe weather; aid in
the control of drainage and restoration of denuded soil subsequent to construction
or grading; provide a haven for birds, which in turn assists in the control
of insects; protect and increase property values; conserve and enhance the
physical and aesthetic environment of the Village of Thomaston; and generally
protect and enhance the quality of life and the general welfare of the village.
The Board of Trustees of the village hereby finds that such purposes are consistent
with and vital to the general health, safety and welfare of the Village of
Thomaston and its inhabitants.
As used in this chapter, the following terms or phrases have the indicated
meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
The owner of real property or the duly authorized agent of such an
owner.
The diameter of any tree trunk six (6) inches above ground level.
The diameter at a height of four (4) feet six (6) inches above the
base of the trunk.
The natural growing characteristics of any tree, and includes branch
spread and distribution, branch heights above ground and root spread and distribution.
Any individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company,
public agency, public utility or organization of any kind or agent thereof.
All improved or unimproved real property, whether or not subject
to subdivision and development.
The actual removal or causing the effective removal through damaging,
poisoning or other direct or indirect actions resulting in the death of a
tree.
Any cutting, pruning, elevating or other alteration of the habit
of a tree which impairs or endangers the life of such tree or destroys its
natural symmetry, and includes but is not limited to heavy or unnecessary
cutting of top branches (topping), cutting of major lower limbs (sever elevating)
and drastic pruning, but shall not include customarily accepted or ornamental
procedures.
Any living woody plant, its root system and the environment within
the area defined by the outermost limits of its branches, which is at least
eight (8) inches in diameter, breast-high; or a flowering ornamental which
is at least six (6) inches in diameter, breast-high; or any living woody plant
which is unique by reason of age, size, rarity or status as a landmark or
species specimen or other outstanding quality.
[Amended 10-8-1990 by L.L.
No. 8-1990]
Any tree which can reasonably be determined by the village official
to have a remaining life span equal to or greater than that of a proposed
structure included in a site plan or subdivision plat.
The Village of Thomaston.
The Village Engineer, Village Building Inspector, Village Superintendent
of Public Works or such other person designated by the Mayor with the approval
of the Board of Trustees.
[Added 1-9-1995 by L.L. No.
1-1995]
A.
There is hereby created and established in the village
a Village Tree Board, which shall act as an advisory body to the Board of
Trustees, with respect to the implementation of this chapter, and with respect
to the adoption and implementation of village policy concerning preservation
of trees.
B.
The Tree Board shall consist of such number of members
as may be determined by the Board of Trustees, but shall have not fewer than
three (3) members and not more than nine (9) members. The members of such
Board shall be appointed by the Mayor, with the approval of the Board of Trustees,
and shall serve terms of one (1) official year. The Mayor shall designate
one (1) member of such Board to serve as Chair and one (1) member to serve
as Deputy Chair. Members of the Tree Board shall serve without compensation.
C.
It shall be the duty and responsibility of the Tree Board
to study, investigate, counsel and develop and to update annually a written
plan for the care, preservation, pruning, planting, replanting, removal or
disposition of trees and shrubs in parks, along streets and in other public
areas of the village. Such plans shall be presented to the Board of Trustees
and, upon such presentation and acceptance by the Board, shall constitute
the comprehensive tree plan of the village. The Tree Board, when requested
by the Board of Trustees to do so, shall consider, investigate and report
to the Board of Trustees with respect to any matter or question referred to
it by the Board of Trustees.
A.
It shall be unlawful for any person to remove, destroy
or substantially alter the habit of one (1) or more of the trees on any parcel
of real property unless a permit has been obtained pursuant to this chapter.
B.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit
the alteration of habit of any tree made in accordance with customarily accepted
ornamental procedures.
C.
The prohibition of this section shall not be applicable
to an emergency situation nor to the removal, destruction or substantial alteration
of any tree made in accordance with an accepted landscape plan included in
any part of a building permit or site plan hereafter approved pursuant to
any applicable law.
[Added 1-9-1995 by L.L. No.
1-1995]
A.
It shall be unlawful for any person to plant any tree
between the property line and the curb line of any street or highway within
the village without first obtaining a permit from the village official.
B.
The application for a permit pursuant to this section
shall state the size, species, spacing and location of the tree(s) to be planted,
which details must conform to specifications on file with the village official.
Such specifications shall be reviewed annually by the Board of Trustees after
consideration of the recommendations of the Tree Board.
C.
Any tree planted pursuant to this section shall become
the property of the village.
[Added 1-9-1995 by L.L. No.
1-1995]
A.
No person shall remove or substantially alter the habit
of any tree located within a public right-of-way or in a park without first
obtaining a permit from the village official.
B.
The application for a permit pursuant to this section
shall state the purpose of the proposed alteration or removal, the size, species
and location of the tree(s) proposed to be removed or substantially altered
in habit and the name of the person who will alter or remove the tree. Any
person who obtains such a permit shall replace a removed tree with an approved
species within twelve (12) months after such removal.
C.
Before any permit is issued as provided in this section,
the applicant shall file with the village official evidence, in form satisfactory
to the village official, of the existence of a liability insurance policy
in the minimum amount of three million dollars ($3,000,000.) combined single
limit for personal injury, and five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.) for
property damage, naming the village as an additional insured party.
D.
No permit shall be issued pursuant to this section without
payment of a permit fee as established by resolution of the Board of Trustees.
A.
Any person desiring a permit to remove a tree, as required
by this chapter, shall submit a written application to the village official.
The application shall include the following information:
(1)
The name and address of the applicant and status of legal
entity.
(2)
The status of the applicant with respect to the land.
(3)
Written consent of the owner of the land, if the applicant
is not the owner.
(4)
The name of the person preparing any map, drawing or
diagram submitted with the application.
(5)
The location of the property, including a street number
and address and lot numbers as shown on the Nassau County Land and Tax Map.
(6)
A diagram of the parcel of land, specifically designating
the area or areas of proposed tree removal and the proposed use of such area.
(7)
The location of all proposed structures and driveways
on the site.
(8)
The location of all trees and identification of size
and species.
(9)
Designation of all diseased or damaged trees.
(10)
Designation of any trees endangering any roadway, pavement
or utility line.
(11)
Any proposed grade changes that might adversely affect
or endanger any trees on the site and specifications of how to maintain them.
(12)
Designation of trees to be removed and trees to be maintained.
(13)
The purpose of tree removal (construction, street or
roadway, driveway, recreation area, patio, parking lot, etc.).
(14)
All materials to be planted with an indication of size,
species and methods of planting.
B.
The village official may, in addition, require the applicant
to supply any of the following documentation:
(1)
A site plan specifying the methods to be used to preserve
all remaining trees and their root systems and the means of providing water
and nutrients to their root systems.
(2)
A topographical survey of the land, if development or
construction will result in change in elevation of more than five (5) feet
or if the parcel of land is more than one (1) acre in area.
C.
Upon receipt of the application, the village official
shall visit and inspect the site and contiguous and adjoining lands. If the
official determines that the plan will destroy no more trees than are reasonably
necessary to achieve the proposed development, the permit application shall
be approved. If the official determines that the plan will destroy more trees
than are reasonably necessary to achieve the proposed development, the application
will be denied.
D.
In determining whether or not a permit should be granted,
the official shall consider the following:
(1)
The condition of the tree or trees with respect to disease,
insect attack, danger of falling, proximity to existing or proposed structures
and interference with utility services.
(2)
The necessity of removing the tree or trees in order
to construct the proposed improvements to allow reasonable economic use of
the property.
(3)
The effect of the removal on erosion, soil moisture retention
and flow of surface waters.
(4)
The number and density of trees in the area and the effect
of tree removal on property values of the neighborhood and upon other existing
vegetation.
(5)
Whether any tree in question is a tree worthy of preservation.
(6)
The impact upon the urban and natural environment, including:
(a)
Whether tree removal would substantially alter the water
table or affect the stabilization of ground- and surface water.
(b)
Whether tree removal would affect water quality and aquifer
recharge by reducing the natural assimilation of nutrients, chemical pollutants,
heavy metals and other substances from ground- and surface waters during the
movement of water towards an aquifer or natural stream.
(c)
Whether tree removal would have an adverse impact upon
existing biological and ecological streams.
(d)
Whether tree removal would affect noise pollution by
increasing source noise levels to such a degree that a public nuisance may
be anticipated or a violation of any applicable noise control law will occur.
(e)
Whether tree removal will affect air movement by significantly
reducing the ability of existing vegetation to reduce wind velocities.
(f)
Whether tree removal will affect air quality by significantly
affecting the natural cleansing of the atmosphere by vegetation.
(g)
Whether tree removal will affect wildlife habitat by
significantly reducing the habitat available for wildlife existence and reproduction
or causing the emigration of wildlife from adjacent or associated ecosystems.
(7)
The ease with which the applicant can alter or revise
the proposed development or improvement to accommodate existing trees.
(8)
The economic hardship that would be imposed upon the
applicant were the permit denied.
(9)
The heightened desirability of preserving tree cover
in densely developed or densely populated areas.
(10)
The need for visual screening in transitional zones or
relief from glare, blight, commercial or industrial ugliness or any other
visual affront.
(11)
Whether the continued presence of the tree or trees is
likely to cause danger to a person or property.
(12)
Whether the topography of the area in which the tree
is located is of such a nature to be damaging or injurious to trees.
(13)
Whether the removal of the trees is for the purpose of
thinning a heavily wooded area where some trees will remain.
The village official may require the planting of the same or agreed-upon
alternate species of trees as are as nearly comparable in type and size as
practical to the trees to be removed, when the individual character of the
tree(s) or the ecological setting requires special consideration, as a condition
for the issuance of a permit for tree removal. The location for planting of
the replacement trees shall be agreed upon between the applicant and the village
official prior to issuance of a permit for removal.
Any person aggrieved by any determination of the village official in
the exercise of the authority granted by this chapter shall have the right
to appeal, in writing, to the Board of Trustees. Any such appeal shall be
taken within thirty (30) days after the determination of the village official.
Such appeal shall state the reasons for the appeal. The determination of the
Board of Trustees on said appeal shall be final and conclusive.
A.
Any application subject to the provisions of this chapter
shall be accompanied by an application fee as set forth from time to time
by resolution of the Board of Trustees if the application involves the removal,
destruction or substantial alteration of fewer than five (5) trees. Where
the application contemplates the removal, destruction or substantial alteration
of five (5) or more but less than eleven (11) trees, the fee shall be as set
forth from time to time by resolution of the Board of Trustees. Where the
application covers eleven (11) or more trees, the fee shall be as set forth
from time to time by resolution of the Board of Trustees.[1]
B.
No permit required by this chapter shall be issued until
the applicant has posted bond or cash escrow in an amount to be determined
upon the recommendation of the village official, conditioned upon satisfactory
compliance with the terms of the permit.
Any person who violates the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty
of an offense and shall be subject to a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars
($500.) for each tree the habit of which is removed, destroyed or substantially
altered in violation of this chapter. In addition, this chapter may be enforced
by civil action, including an injunction, and any owner of real property who
has violated or permitted a violation of this chapter may be directed by the
village official to replace with new trees [three and one-half (3 1/2)
to four (4) inches in diameter] any trees removed, destroyed or substantially
altered in violation of this chapter, and, where such direction has been made,
no building permit or certificate of occupancy shall be issued for structures
on said real property until such replacement has been completed.
A.
Notwithstanding any portion of this chapter to the contrary,
this chapter shall not be applicable to any person actually occupying as his
or her residence any real property which is part of a contiguous parcel, upon
which an activity otherwise prohibited or regulated by this chapter would
occur, nor to the duly authorized agent of such person, provided that the
number of trees to be removed, destroyed or substantially altered on such
property does not exceed two (2) trees in any period of one (1) year.
In case of emergencies involving but not limited to hurricanes, windstorms,
floods, freezes or other natural disasters, the permit requirements of this
chapter may be waived by the village official.
A.
Every property owner or occupant shall be responsible
for the normal care, including watering, of trees, shrubs and plants located
on such property.
B.
Willful injury or disfigurement of any tree growing within
the village shall be a violation of this chapter.
C.
No person shall:
(1)
Attach any sign, notice or other object to any tree or
fasten any wires, cables, nails or screws to any tree in a manner that could
prove harmful to the tree, except as necessary in conjunction with activities
in the public interest.
(2)
Pour any material on any tree or on nearby ground which
could be harmful to the tree.
(3)
Cause or encourage any unnecessary fire or burning near
or around any tree.
(4)
Construct a concrete, asphalt, brick or gravel sidewalk
or otherwise fill up the ground around any tree so as to cut off air, light
or water from the roots.
(5)
Pile building material or equipment around any tree so
as to cause injury thereto.
D.
A protective barrier shall be placed around the protected
trees prior to land preparation or construction activities and shall remain
in place until all construction activity is terminated.
E.
No equipment, chemicals, soil deposits or construction
materials shall be placed within the protective barriers.
F.
Any landscaping activities subsequent to the removal
of the barriers shall be accomplished with light machinery or hand labor.
