Montclair council tables stronger tree‑protection ordinance after residents press for changes

The Montclair Township Council on June 9 voted to table introduction of a proposed comprehensive revision to Chapter 324 (Trees) after extensive council and public discussion about enforcement, equity, and staffing for implementation.

Supporters of a stronger ordinance — including members of the Montclair Environmental Commission and advocates who said the town’s canopy has declined — urged scaled replacement ratios, protections for extraordinary (old growth) trees and targeted spending from the town’s tree fund to neighborhoods most in need. “A mature canopy tree is infrastructure,” environmental advocate Anna Gman told the council, urging an ordinance that directs funds to heat‑burdened neighborhoods rather than wherever removals happen.

Councilors said they favored stronger protections but shared concern that the ordinance must be implementable. Councilor Bill Harrison and Deputy Mayor Anderson said the town must avoid creating a paperwork blizzard without the staff capacity to enforce it. To address both goals, staff and advocates will review a set of proposed edits that include prioritized equity spending from the tree fund and clearer “necessity” standards for removing extraordinary trees.

The council’s motion to table the ordinance until the July 14 meeting passed unanimously among members present, giving time for revisions, additional public input, and arrangements to ensure the town has permitting and enforcement capacity if tougher rules are adopted.

Ending: Councilors said the revised draft will be circulated to the Environmental Commission and to interested residents; committee members encouraged residents to submit suggested language early so changes can be incorporated ahead of the next meeting.