[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village
of Brockport 8-18-2008 by L.L. No. 6-2008; amended in its entirety 10-23-2012 by L.L. No.
2-2012. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Berms, fences, hedges and screen plantings — See Ch. 6.
Environmental quality review — See Ch. 17A.
Land subdivision regulations — See Ch. 26.
Stormwater management and erosion and sediment control — See Ch. 27.
Streets and sidewalks — See Ch. 45.
Zoning — See Ch. 58.
Code enforcement — See Ch. 59.
A.
This chapter shall be known as the "Tree/Vegetation Ordinance" for
trees, plants and shrubs and is herein referred to as the "Tree/Vegetation
Ordinance" or "this chapter."
B.
Purpose. In recognition of the environmental, health and aesthetic
benefits of its urban forest, this chapter establishes the policies,
regulations and standards pursuant to the planting, maintenance, protection,
preservation, removal and replacement of trees on public lands within
the Village of Brockport. These provisions are enacted to:
(1)
Establish the maximum sustainable amount of tree cover on public
lands within the Village.
(2)
Maintain Village trees in a healthy state and to prevent or control
hazardous conditions through good arboricultural practices.
(3)
Establish and maintain appropriate diversity in genus, species and
age classes in order to provide a stable and sustainable urban forest.
A.
The Village of Brockport shall have full jurisdiction over all trees,
plants and shrubs (excluding grass) located within street rights-of-way,
public parks, public rights-of-way or easements, and other public
places in the Village.
B.
Conflict with other ordinances. In any case where a provision of
this chapter is found to be in conflict with a provision of any zoning,
land development, safety or health ordinance or code(s) of this municipality,
the County of Monroe or the State of New York, the provision which
establishes the higher standard for the promotion and the protection
of the safety and health of the people shall prevail. In any case
where a provision of this chapter is found to be in conflict with
a provision of any other ordinance of the Code of this municipality
existing on the effective date of this chapter which establishes a
lower standard for the promotion and protection of the safety and
health of the people, the provisions of this chapter shall prevail,
and such other ordinances or codes and articles are hereby declared
to be repealed to the extent that they may be found in conflict with
this chapter.
C.
Partial invalidity. If any section of this chapter shall be held
unconstitutional, illegal, invalid, or otherwise unenforceable as
violative of state or local laws, the remainder of this chapter shall
remain in full force and effect and be enforceable as such.
D.
Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to abolish or impair existing
remedies of the municipality or its officers or agencies relating
to the removal of tree(s) which is/are deemed to be dangerous, unsafe
or unhealthy.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following words and terms
shall be defined as follows, unless otherwise expressly provided:
The Code of the Village of Brockport.
Includes the Code Enforcement Officer and all inspectors
employed by the Village of Brockport who are certified by the State
of New York either in the capacity of code enforcement officer, building
inspector or fire marshal, and/or titled as assistant code enforcement
officer, assistant building inspector, deputy fire marshal, or any
combination thereof.
An officer employed by the Village of Brockport who is certified
by the State of New York either in the capacity of code enforcement
officer, building inspector, fire marshal, planning/zoning officer,
peace officer, stormwater manager, floodplain administrator, or any
combination thereof.
A framework for public tree management that includes an inventory
of existing trees; identification of planting sites; a prioritized
planting plan; and standards for tree selection, sitting, and planting.
The Department of Public Works of the Village of Brockport.
A non-native plant species that adversely affects the habitats
they invade economically, environmentally or ecologically and listed
in either the federal or New York State Invasive Plant Inventory,
www.dec.ny.gov/animals/265html; www.nyis.info
A compilation of suitable and desirable types and species of
trees able to thrive on Village streets and public places within the
Village. The master tree list is housed at the Village office and
is drawn from:
Recommendations from the Tree Inventory Report;
National Grid's "Recommended Small Trees for Planting Under
Low Overhead Utility Lines or Confined Spaces" (http://www.nationalgridus.com/non_html/shared_
safety_tree.pdf); and
Cornell University's "Recommended Urban Trees for USDA
Plant Hardiness Zone 6 and Colder" (http://www.hort.cornell.edu/uhi/outreach/recurbtree/index.html).
The master tree list also includes a list of trees that should
not be planted either because they are inappropriate street trees
or because the Village currently has an excessive number of that species
of trees.
The Village of Brockport.
Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation,
company, or an organization of any kind, including public or private.
Public places within the Village of Brockport officially
designated as public parks.
All grounds owned by the Village of Brockport or under its
control or supervision, whether leased or under contract to the Village.
Any tree growing within the boundaries of a public street
or public place.
An area of public land, which may or may not be owned by
the Village of Brockport, over which facilities such as highways,
sidewalks or the locations of utility lines are built. This land may
include an area between a public sidewalk and a street, which can
be commonly referred to as the "tree lawn."
The entire width of every public street or right-of-way when
any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of
vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
The department head of the Department of Public Works of
the Village of Brockport as employed by the Village of Brockport,
who is responsible for Village of Brockport property, streets and
roads, rights-of-way and public facilities and certain services.
The Tree Board for the Village of Brockport.
An annual written report to the Village Board covering the
actions and goals relating to the Village's public trees and
including such activities as street tree inventories, tree plantings
and removals, and educational programs for the public.
A scientific inventory of Brockport's street and park
trees, completed in August 2006, listing species and variety, condition
and maintenance needs. The report identifies scores of trees, tree
component(s) and vacant tree spaces.
That part of a right-of-way or highway reservation not covered
by the sidewalk or other pavement, lying between a property boundary
line and that portion of the street usually used for vehicular traffic.
The Village of Brockport.
The Board of Trustees for the Village of Brockport.
A.
Membership. The Tree Board shall consist of not fewer than five nor
more than 10 voting members, appointed by the Mayor subject to the
approval of the Village Board. If possible, all members shall be residents
of the Village, and otherwise must be residents of Monroe County.
At least one member should have professional training in forestry
and, if none do, one ex officio, nonvoting member who has expertise
in urban forestry may also be appointed by the Mayor, subject to the
approval of the Village Board. In addition, at least one member should
be an employee of the DPW and, if none is, one DPW employee may also
be appointed by the Mayor, subject to the approval of the Village
Board as an additional ex officio, nonvoting member. Members shall
serve for staggered terms of four years and without compensation.
B.
Organization. Members of the Tree Board shall annually select a Chair
and a recording secretary, each to serve a one-year term. The Board
shall adopt rules and regulations concerning its governance and operation.
A majority of current seated voting members shall constitute a quorum
for conducting business.
C.
Authorization and duties. The Tree Board shall be authorized to fulfill
the following duties:
(1)
Coordinate, recommend and implement the care, maintenance and planting
of all public trees.
(2)
Develop a comprehensive tree plan for the Village of Brockport.
(3)
Develop a list of appropriate tree species for planting in the various
types of locales within the tree lawn and public parks.
(4)
Provide advice and consultation regarding trees to the Village Board,
Village employees and private citizens residing in the Village of
Brockport.
(5)
Receive, review and recommend to the Superintendent requests from
property owners for tree plantings, pruning and removals on the tree
lawn.
(6)
Regularly communicate with the DPW on all matters regarding Village
trees; work closely with the DPW in planning and implementing tree
planting; and serve as consultants to the DPW in regard to tree-related
problems and hazards.
(7)
Identify and maintain a list of trees within the Village of Brockport
that are of historical significance.
(8)
Coordinate activities, including but not limited to the commemoration
of Arbor Day, to inform and educate the public about the urban forest.
(9)
Make budget recommendations to the Village Board for Tree Board expenses
and purchase of trees.
(10)
Together with the Village, apply for grants related to the planting
and maintenance of our community forest.
(11)
Submit an annual report to the Village Board detailing the Tree Board's
accomplishments for the year, including plantings, educational outreach,
activities coordinated with other committees and boards, etc.
(12)
Review Village policies, resolutions and local laws impacting trees.
A.
Planting. The Village shall have the responsibility to plant and
maintain trees, plants and shrubs within the right-of-way of all streets,
avenues and highways and on public grounds. The Tree Board will make
all reasonable efforts to comply with property owners' requests
regarding placement of a tree on the right-of-way adjoining their
property.
(1)
Any tree that must be removed shall be replaced by new planting,
except in unusual circumstances.
(2)
Trees will be replaced in accordance with the master tree plan developed
by the Tree Board.
(3)
No person shall plant any street tree except in accordance with policies,
regulations and specifications established pursuant to this chapter.
(4)
Owners of property adjoining a Village street may request a tree
for the tree lawn when one is missing or has been recently removed.
Requests will be submitted on the tree request form available at the
Village of Brockport municipal offices, located at 49 State Street,
Village of Brockport, or downloadable from the Tree Board's website
link, through www.treeboard.brockprtny.org. The Tree Board will select
a suitable tree for the location, which takes into consideration:
(5)
Property owners may, at their own expense and with the written approval
of the Tree Board and the Superintendent, plant appropriate trees
on the tree lawn. The Superintendent shall authorize the approved
planting in writing and shall approve a map or diagram showing the
location of the tree planting. Any tree so planted shall be considered
a public tree and be added to the Village Tree Inventory Report.
A.
Topping of trees is expressly forbidden. Tree pruning shall be accomplished
in accordance with the procedures set forth in the most recent ANSI
A300 standards.
B.
Tree removal. The Superintendent shall treat or remove any public
trees that are dead, diseased or constitute a hazard to life or property.
No person other than the Superintendent, or his duly authorized deputy,
agent or employee, shall prune, cut down, remove or destroy any public
tree on Village property unless authorized by the Superintendent.
(1)
Requests by persons for removal of diseased or hazardous trees in
the tree lawn must be made to the DPW. Trees will be inspected to
determine their health and any hazard that they pose. Final decisions
regarding removals will be made by the Superintendent.
C.
Abatement of hazards. If a tree on property other than lands of the State of New York, County of Monroe, or the Village of Brockport is determined by the Code Enforcement Officer, in consultation with the Superintendent, to constitute a public hazard, the owner will be required, by written notification from the Code Enforcement Officer, to trim, remove or otherwise control the tree to abate the hazard. Failure to do so within 15 days will be deemed a violation of this chapter and can result in noticing, ticketing or such other enforcement procedure means and methods set forth in the Code, including but not limited to under Chapter 59 thereof, or as otherwise permitted by law, including the abatement by the Village of any such tree or tree parts thereof which are deemed to constitute a public hazard. In the event that abatement is necessary by the Village, it shall be at the owner's expense and, if the costs are unpaid by the owner after 30 days from the date of billing, the costs for the abatement shall then be assessed and levied against the corresponding property and added to the next Village tax roll.
D.
Abatement of hazards, public nuisances or invasive plant species.
No person shall allow or permit the harboring of, planting of, or
allowing outdoors any type of plant material which may cause harm
to the environment or to persons, or which may additionally be listed
as prohibited by State of New York or United States regulations.
Where sidewalk or curb damage due to tree roots occurs, every
reasonable effort shall be made to correct the problem without removing
or damaging the tree. The Superintendent shall be responsible for
developing or approving corrective measures.
Communication between the DPW and the Tree Board regarding any
operations that affect Village trees is essential to the long-term
management of the Village's trees. This includes but is not limited
to notification of tree pruning, removals, requests for plantings,
utility company activities relating to trees, and Arbor Day and other
educational tree programs.
All new development, including but not limited to residential,
commercial, industrial and parking lots, will have appropriate trees
planted at the customary density in effect for Village street trees.
A.
Landscaping plans submitted by developers must include the planting
of street trees and, if appropriate, park trees that are in compliance
with the Tree Board's master tree list in terms of size, species
and density.
B.
The developer assumes the responsibility of tree planting and all
irrigation and maintenance for a one-year period from the time of
planting and for the replacement of any trees that may die during
this period.
C.
Approval by the Village of Brockport Planning Board for new developments
is contingent upon submission of a tree planting plan approved by
the Tree Board.
Pursuant to § 46-9, for the protection of trees, setting standards and limits in areas where land use is intensified, developers shall seek the advice of the Tree Board for planting recommendations.
It is a violation of the provisions of this chapter for any
person to damage, abuse, mutilate or destroy any tree(s), plant(s)
or shrub(s) on public lands. This includes posting signs or handbills
on trees or allowing any gaseous, liquid or solid substance harmful
to trees, shrubs or plants to come into contact with their roots,
trunks or leaves, except during application(s) of substances in the
performance of the normal maintenance of streets, roads, sidewalks,
tree lawns or driveways as performed on behalf of the Village by the
Superintendent.
The Village of Brockport Police Department and/or the Code Enforcement Officer are the official(s) authorized to enforce the provisions of this chapter by removal, notice, ticketing, etc., or such other enforcement procedure means and methods set forth in the Code, including but not limited to under Chapter 59 thereof, or as otherwise permitted by law.
The Superintendent shall review and investigate complaints which
allege or assert the existence of conditions or activities that fail
to comply with this chapter or any other local law or ordinance or
regulation adopted for administration and enforcement of the Tree
Ordinance. The process for responding to a complaint shall include
the following steps, as the Superintendent, at his discretion, may
deem to be appropriate:
A.
Performing an inspection of the conditions and/or activities alleged
to be in violation and documenting the results of such inspection.
B.
Utilizing the Village of Brockport police and/or the Code Enforcement
Officer to carry out enforcement proceedings as deemed appropriate
in violations of this chapter or law(s) of the Village of Brockport.
Violation(s) of any provision of this chapter shall be an offense,
punishable by a fine not to exceed $350 for each offense. In the case
of a violation consisting of the abuse, damage, mutilation or destruction
of more than one tree, shrub or plant on public lands, the damage,
mutilation, abuse of, or destruction of each tree, shrub or plant
shall be a separate offense. Nothing in this section shall limit the
right of the Village of Brockport to pursue any remedy available to
it pursuant to § 861 of the New York Real Property Actions
and Proceedings Law, Subdivision 2 of § 382 of the Executive
Law of New York State, or as otherwise permitted by law.
