The Princeton Planning Board on Thursday recommended that the Borough Council adopt Ordinance 2025-19, a measure that lowers the municipal tree-removal permit threshold and strengthens replacement requirements.

Municipal engineer Diana Stockton told the board the ordinance aims "to better align Princeton's tree and shrub regulations with that of DEP's model tree removal replacement ordinance." Stockton said the proposal lowers the permit threshold from an 8-inch diameter at breast height to a 6-inch diameter and enhances the replacement table for larger-diameter removals. The ordinance also consolidates tree-preservation rules now split between chapter 22 and chapter 10b to reduce duplication and errors, Stockton said.

Planning staff recommended the board find the ordinance consistent with the town's 2023 master plan. Nathan Foote, who reviewed the measure for master-plan consistency, said the ordinance supports multiple plan goals, including natural-resource conservation and climate resiliency. "I do find that the ordinance is substantially consistent with the master plan," Foote told the board.

Board members pressed staff on how the ordinance would support long-term canopy goals and how planting and replacement would be tracked. Councilman David Cohen noted one policy change that could expand the program's reach: under the draft ordinance, Shade Tree Trust funds would not be restricted to public lands. "I'd like to see the trust fund used to incentivize replanting of trees that have come down on private property," Cohen said, citing ash-tree losses from emerald ash borer and other stresses.

Staff said the municipality is improving GIS and mapping capabilities and will update the tree inventory to better analyze canopy cover and replacement impact. Stockton also pointed to an upcoming presentation of a five-year community forestry management plan that will link the ordinance to actionable canopy-maintenance steps.

Paula Binuka moved that the board find Ordinance 2025-19 consistent with the master plan and recommend adoption; the motion passed on a roll call with a majority of members recorded as voting yes. The ordinance is scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2026 if adopted by council; applications deemed complete before that date would not be subject to the new requirements.

The council will receive the board's recommendation and will consider final adoption in a future meeting.