Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Shade Tree topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hudson County introduces replacement Shade Tree ordinance to formalize Planning's role with County parks
Summary
The Hudson County Board introduced a replacement ordinance clarifying the Division of Planning's role in assisting the Department of Parks (which acts as the Shade Tree Commission) and strengthening language that prohibits private or public actors from harming county shade trees. The Board approved revisions to the title and text for referral and introduction.
The Hudson County Board of County Commissioners on March 13 introduced a replacement ordinance that adds the Division of Planning’s responsibility in assisting the Department of Parks, which acts as the Hudson County Shade Tree Commission under the county code.
County Administrator Abraham Antun told the Board the change updates the ordinance title to read “Ordinance Establishing the Division of Planning’s Role and Responsibility in Assisting the Department of Parks, which acts as the Hudson County Shade Tree Commission per the Hudson County Code.” He also said the revised text expands the list of individuals and organizations (including non-profits) that are not permitted to engage in conduct that could negatively affect county shade trees. “Those are the changes,” Antun told commissioners during the administration update.
Commissioner Kenneth Kopacz sponsored the replacement ordinance and Commissioner Robert Baselice seconded the sponsor designation. The Board approved the changes on a roll-call vote during the meeting.
The change was presented as a replacement at the meeting and advanced by the Board for introduction; the ordinance will return for further committee review and a subsequent public hearing as required by law. The county clerk confirmed the ordinance was posted and made available to the public in advance of the Board meeting.
What happens next: The replacement ordinance will proceed through the usual ordinance process (public notice, committee review or public hearing as applicable) before final adoption and implementation. County staff said the revised text focuses on clarifying which private and public actors may not perform activities that damage County shade trees and formalizes Planning’s supportive role to Parks.
