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Hamtramck amends process for public trees, keeps $500 fee and creates replacement fund
Summary
The council advanced an amendment to Chapter 54 clarifying that Department of Public Services controls publicly owned trees, keeping the previously agreed $500 fee and creating a fund to value and replace trees removed by development; staff said a tree-planting grant will add about 1,000 trees over four years.
The Hamtramck City Council opened and processed a public hearing on amendments to Chapter 54 (trees and shrubs) during the June 23 meeting, clarifying that the changes apply only to publicly owned trees and reaffirming a $500 fee the council had previously reduced at first reading.
Isabella, representing the Department of Public Services, told the council the ordinance clarifies that only DPS should trim or remove trees on public property in the right-of-way, establishes standards for how close trees may be planted to utilities and property, and creates a mechanism to value a removed public tree so payments from developers can fund replacement plantings and ongoing tree maintenance. She said the city expects to plant about 1,000 new trees over four years with grant funding for the "growing tree" and "my tree" planting projects.
During public comment residents asked whether homeowners may remove trees on private property; Isabella and councilmembers confirmed homeowners may remove trees on their private property without DPS permission, but the ordinance provides that if a development removes a city-owned tree the developer pays an assessed value into a replacement fund and the city will select species and sizes appropriate for long-term maintenance and sidewalk safety.
Council members also addressed a clerical error in the ordinance text: at first reading the council lowered the fine from $1,000 to $500 and members requested the ordinance text reflect the $500 fee. Council amended the agenda language to reflect that this session was the second reading, set the date for any remaining readings as required, and approved the item to move forward by roll call.
