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Advisory board advances tree ordinance work, discusses Tree City USA eligibility and right‑of‑way rules
Summary
The Conservation Advisory Board reviewed a draft tree ordinance and discussed pursuing Tree City USA recognition; members debated right‑of‑way permitting for planting and removal and recommended coordination with highway and parks departments.
The Grand Island Conservation Advisory Board continued work on a draft tree ordinance, discussed applying for Tree City USA recognition and debated whether a town permit should be required to plant or remove trees in the public right‑of‑way.
Board discussion and Tree City USA: Diane reported she had spoken with Pat Marin, Region 9 forester, about Tree City USA. The forester said membership does not itself guarantee grants but can strengthen grant applications; members noted past DEC grants had given extra points to communities with tree programs. The board discussed the requirement for an annual budget line for trees — a Tree City requirement tied to spending levels — and noted the town already spends funds on tree inventory, ash removal and tree management tasks even if a discrete line item is not yet visible in the budget.
Right‑of‑way planting and permitting: Members debated whether the ordinance should require a permit to plant trees in public right‑of‑way areas (for example, the strip between sidewalk and street). Critics warned a permitting requirement could reduce tree canopy expansion if departments routinely deny permits; supporters said a permit process would let highway staff, utilities and the parks department weigh in to prevent conflicts with underground utilities or overhead lines.
Board direction and next steps: Members asked the draft ordinance be reviewed by the highway superintendent and parks staff before the board recommends it to the town board. The group asked the drafter to prepare a clean PDF and a Word version of the ordinance so members can review proposed strike‑out edits and finalize a set of amendments for referral to the town board and town attorney. Members also planned to seek a budget line item and to continue to gather documentation needed for a Tree City USA application.
The board did not vote to adopt a final ordinance at this meeting; members agreed to seek departmental buy‑in and to return with a consolidated draft for further review.
