Rye City officials are inching closer to adopting a tree ordinance to discourage “clear-cutting” of large trees on private and public property.
By Jon Craig
Rye City officials are inching closer to adopting a tree ordinance to discourage “clear-cutting” of large trees on private and public property.
At the March 14 City Council meeting, officials heard an update on a proposed law — revised Chapter 187 — that would require permits to cut any tree with a width of 8 inches or more. The revised law encourages planting the right tree in the right place, and prohibits planting of invasive species.
Proponents said preserving and planting trees reduces flooding, and enhances property values by 10 percent.
But a key sticking point is the proposed formation of a “Tree Review Committee” which would include a member of City staff.
City Planner Christian Miller raised concerns that the revised law could create more work for an already shrinking City staff and leave Rye vulnerable to costly lawsuits and time-consuming appeals.
“It’s a discretionary review board,’’ Mr. Miller said of the proposed tree committee. “It’s a very cumbersome process.”
Carolyn Cunningham of the Environmental Advocacy Group of Rye (EAGR) agreed the review process should be made as simple as possible. The Board of Architectural Review has offered to take on the tree review tasks, she said.
Similar ordinances exist in Greenburgh, Mamaroneck, Rye Brook, New Rochelle, and Tuckahoe.
Mayor Doug French asked Miller and Cunningham’s group to work together. If staff can present new enforcement language that excludes the tree review committee, a public hearing will be held April 18. The proposal has been in the works for three years, he said.
