Flower Hill trustees are considering amending to the village’s tree laws that would end a practice waiving removal fees on trees located on properties included in approved site plans on building applications.
The board on Tuesday formed a committee comprised of trustees Gary Lewandowski and Robert McNamara as well as Building Inspector Jim Gilhooly and Village Arborist Ann Frankel to analyze the village’s tree removal laws.
According to the village’s code, residents must apply for a tree removal permit and may only take down a tree based on the recommendation of the village’s certified arborist.
A declaration of a dead or damaged tree is $50, while each live tree removed is $150 with a $500 refundable bond per tree replaced.
The amendment would remove a vaguely-worded section of the village code, Village Administrator Ronnie Shatzkamer said, which she added was brought to her attention by a resident affected by the stipulation.
Trustees said they would consider other tree removal amendments, including an increase to penalties for residents who remove more trees than receive approval by the village.
