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Resident urges action on teardown and tree loss; council cites tree-preservation code and refers scope questions to Planning Commission
Summary
A resident warned that tear-downs replacing modest homes with much larger new houses are reducing tree cover; Mayor Judson Klein and staff said the village has a tree-preservation ordinance and suggested sending a proposal on rebuilding-size limits to the Planning Commission for study.
A resident named Jim told the Orange Village Council that tear-downs followed by new large homes ‘‘cut down all the trees’’ and erode the village’s character and affordable housing stock. Jim asked whether the council had discretion to limit such replacements and protect tree canopy.
Mayor Judson Klein and staff described the village’s recently enacted tree-preservation ordinance. Klein said homeowners may remove up to six trees without a permit; larger removals must be reviewed by the Planning Commission and require a plan showing existing canopy, the removal impact and a replanting or reinfill strategy. "You can't just walk onto a site and just clear cut it and start," Klein said, and he added that the code includes canopy-coverage percentages and monitoring by the village arborist (Davy Tree Service).
The resident proposed limiting the size of replacement houses and suggested a rule that a new house be no larger than 2,500 square feet or 50% larger than the previous home, whichever is greater. Multiple council members said that suggestion was worth sending to the Planning Commission for study. One council member said, "Consider it sent," indicating the council would refer a consideration of size limits and other potential zoning adjustments to the commission.
Council also addressed a current situation on Jackson Road where earlier-than-expected clearing and grading prompted neighbor complaints. The mayor said the work supports stormwater management and sanitary-connections required for the approved development, and that the developer has been directed to follow the tree-preservation plan, add replacement shade trees and install buffer screening; the village arborist will monitor removals.
The council did not enact a new code change at the meeting; members instead signaled a referral and follow-up with the Planning Commission and staff to study possible limits on teardown size and to ensure better resident notification about construction timing and impact.
