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Council tables changes to tree ordinance fees after heated debate over who pays for removal and replanting
Summary
Residents and councilmembers clashed over proposed increases to tree-permit fees and diameter-based charges; council members cited decades of deferred maintenance and asked for clearer diseased-tree exemptions. The council voted to table the ordinance for legal review and a study session.
Dearborn Heights — The City Council on Feb. 24 debated proposed updates to the city's tree ordinance that would modestly raise permit fees and create larger, diameter-based charges tied to the tree fund, but after extended public comment and council questioning the item was tabled.
Residents raised concerns during public comment that the city has not consistently maintained street trees and that requiring homeowners to pay substantial fees to remove city trees would be unfair. "Where is the accountability to the city?" asked Angela Ven Angus, who said residents pay for permits and replacement trees while sidewalks continue to be damaged. Another resident pointed to low tree canopy in parts of the city and urged a moratorium on removing healthy trees.
Council members objected to aspects of the draft resolution. Councilman Saab argued the city has "miserably" failed for decades to maintain trees and that fee changes alone do not address the underlying resource shortfall; he urged a study session. City staff defended the update as a modest adjustment to keep the tree fund solvent and to require replacement plantings when large trees are removed. The city's attorney/finance staff said the fee change is "nominal," noting the permit would rise from about $65 to $75 and that a new refundable bond requirement is intended to ensure replanting.
There was repeated clarification about diseased or dead trees: the director stated that removal of clearly diseased or dangerous trees would not be subject to the full permitting and tree-fund fees. DPW staff told the council that past bid prices for planting were roughly $450'$650 per tree, and that limited funding had slowed replanting efforts.
After discussion, Councilman Constant moved to table the item until staff could obtain a formal legal opinion and the council could schedule a study session on fees and programmatic commitments. The motion to table carried by voice vote.
Next steps: the council asked staff to return with a clear description of when fees apply, how diseased-tree exceptions are handled, a breakdown of the tree fund's current balance and past spending, and options for grant or nonprofit partnerships for replanting. The item was not approved and remains pending further review.
