A.
The purpose of this chapter is to protect and promote the health,
safety, and general welfare of the Village of Scottsville's residents,
visitors, trees, and businesses. Accordingly, this chapter establishes
standards, regulations, and requirements relative to the control,
planting, removal, maintenance, and protection of the trees and shrubs
located on or about public property, public rights-of-way, and public
lands within the Village of Scottsville.
B.
The following are objectives of the Scottsville Tree Ordinance:
(1)
Minimizing and guarding against dangerous conditions which may result
in injury to persons using the public areas of the Village of Scottsville
(herein, "Village");
(2)
Promoting the enhancement and natural beauty of the Village;
(3)
Preventing damage to the public parks, public lands, public rights-of-way,
sanitary sewer system, stormwater sewer system, water mains, streets,
sidewalks or other public property;
(4)
Managing the trees and shrubs within the Village with the goal of
stopping the spread of disease and pests; and
(5)
Promoting a diverse urban forest.
C.
The Village of Scottsville Board of Trustees (herein, "Village Board")
finds that the Scottsville Tree Ordinance is needed to protect the
general welfare of the community for the following reasons:
(1)
Trees are proven producers of oxygen, a necessary element for the
survival of humankind;
(2)
Trees appreciably reduce the ever-increasing and environmentally
dangerous carbon dioxide content of the air;
(3)
Trees play a vital role in purifying the air;
(4)
Trees play an integral role in neutralizing wastewater which passes
from the surface to lower groundwater aquifers;
(5)
Trees, through their root systems, stabilize the soil and play an
important and effective part in soil conservation, erosion control,
and flood control.
(7)
Trees provide numerous important ecological benefits (e.g., provide
wildlife habitats);
(8)
The protection of trees within the Village of Scottsville is not
only desirable, but essential to the present and future health, safety,
and general welfare of all the visitors to and citizens of the Village
of Scottsville;
(9)
Some tree species are more beneficial than others as necessary contributors
to the Village's environment and it is not necessary to protect
each and every tree in order to attain the public benefit derived
from tree protection and replacement rules and regulations;
(10)
A healthy urban forest provides an attractive environment for
businesses, residents, and visitors; and is a positive contribution
to the local economy; and
