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Fountain Hills council adopts tree-protection ordinance to strengthen town enforcement
Summary
The Town Council approved Ordinance 25-5 to add procedures, valuation and penalties aimed at protecting town-owned shade trees after staff said past damage could not be fairly remedied.
The Fountain Hills Town Council on a 6-0 vote approved Ordinance 25-5 on Tuesday, adding Chapter 9, Article 7 to the town code to establish tree care, valuation and enforcement procedures for town-owned trees.
Council members and staff said the change matters because established shade trees are a long-term community asset and past incidents of contractor or utility work sometimes left mature trees effectively killed without a consistent replacement remedy.
Director Justin Snipes told the council the new code defines acceptable pruning and provides a process to evaluate and recover the ‘‘value’’ of trees harmed by construction or other work. Snipes said the purpose is to avoid outcomes where, in his words, a contractor’s apology is followed by a small replacement that does not compensate for a 50-year tree. “That’s not a fair trade,” Director Snipes said.
Under the ordinance, the town’s parks and public works divisions will administer protections on town property such as parks, medians and rights-of-way. The code allows the town to use an in-house designee, department superintendent, or an outside certified arborist to assess damage and determine replacement or monetary remedies. It also establishes penalties in the town code for noncompliance.
Council discussion focused on administration and scope. Council members sought clarity about who residents should contact; staff said right-of-way planting or permissions would come through Public Works (Justin) while park issues would route through Community Services. Council members also confirmed an approved list of acceptable trees is included in the ordinance and will be maintained and updated.
Councilwoman Kelly Vianakis moved to adopt the ordinance; the motion was seconded and passed on a roll-call vote with Council member Earl, Council member Skilikorn, Council member Calavianakis, Council member Watts, Vice Mayor Larrabee and Mayor Jerry Bridal voting aye.
The ordinance takes effect per the town’s codified procedures; staff will publish the approved acceptable-tree list and contact points for residents with questions.
