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Flower Hill board adopts law to limit plantings in village right-of-way
Summary
The Board of Trustees approved Local Law K to regulate shrubs, bushes and low plantings in village rights-of-way to preserve sight lines and pedestrian safety; the board also determined the measure is a Type II action under SEQRA. A resident warned of potential costs for existing mature plantings.
The Village of Flower Hill Board of Trustees voted to adopt Local Law K, which restricts certain plantings in the village right-of-way to maintain sight lines and provide a safe off-road space for pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers. Mayor introduced the measure as aimed at "improv[ing] road safety for our children, walkers, bikers, and drivers," and said the code update will specify where greenery may not be located.
During the public comment period, Tom Romano of Bobby Road said he owns large trees and extensive shrub plantings along the right-of-way and worried the law could require costly removal or fines. Romano said some trees on his property "have probably been there since the 1950s" and asked whether the law would provide clarity or exemptions for existing plantings.
Trustees and the mayor responded that the law is not intended to be punitive. The mayor told Romano, "We're we're not asking people to take trees down. If you had low hanging branches that were impeding people's ability to walk by, sure, we'd ask you to prune those trees," and noted the board revised earlier drafts to allow more discretion in enforcement.
The mayor moved to adopt Local Law K and simultaneously moved that the village be identified as lead agency and that the action be deemed a Type II action under the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). The motion was seconded by Deputy Mayor Janice and passed by voice vote.
Next steps: the law was adopted at the meeting; trustees indicated they can refine enforcement details in a future public hearing if needed.
