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Flower Hill board adopts tree‑remediation law allowing $500 fee in place of replanting
Summary
The Village of Flower Hill on Oct. 6 approved Local Law H (2025), letting the village accept a $500 fee in lieu of replanting when on‑site replacement is impractical and directing funds to a village greenery fund for public plantings and right‑of‑way trees.
The Village of Flower Hill Board of Trustees voted Oct. 6 to adopt Local Law H (2025), establishing a fee‑in‑lieu option for required tree replacement when homeowners cannot reasonably replant. The board set the fee at $500 per tree, to be placed in a village greenery fund used to plant trees in the public right‑of‑way and other village greens.
Mayor (speaker 1) introduced the measure as an alternative to mandatory on‑site replacement in difficult situations and said the building superintendent would have discretion to allow the fee in lieu of replanting. Counsel and board members discussed clarifying language so authority and fee‑setting would be handled by the appropriate official and by board resolution. "We will use those funds to plant trees in the village right of way and other village green spaces," the mayor said when describing the fund.
A resident representing the Villas of Flower Hill urged the village to favor native, long‑lived species such as oaks and red maples over small ornamental replacements, and to require follow‑up checks to ensure new plantings survive. The resident said small flowering trees often die within months after planting and called for stronger species guidance. The board responded that the village arborist would consult with residents and that recent bond requirements now require a six‑month inspection with replacement required if a planted tree dies.
During debate board counsel suggested revising the draft to make clear whether the building superintendent or the board holds approval authority; trustee comments focused on balancing enforcement and residents' concerns about long bond retention. The board also passed a SEQRA motion, identifying the village as lead agency and classifying the action as a Type II action requiring no further environmental review.
The final roll call on Local Law H was recorded as five votes in favor and one abstention; the motion passed. One trustee stated a potential personal connection and chose to abstain. The law directs the board to set the fee amount by resolution going forward and creates the village greenery fund to support public plantings.
