Village of Sea Cliff, NY Tree Commission

The Commission shall consist of not less than three members and not more than five members, each appointed by the Mayor, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees. The members of the Commission shall serve without compensation and be residents of the Village. The term of each resident member shall be a one-year term, each commencing at 12:00 noon of the first Monday in April. Any Commission member appointed at any time other than as aforesaid shall be appointed for a term set to expire on the immediately forthcoming first Monday in April at 12:00 noon. If a vacancy occurs, a successor may be appointed, and such appointment shall be for the unexpired portion of the member's existing term.

[Amended 11-9-2020 by L.L. No. 10-2020; 6-13-2022 by L.L. No. 2-2022, effective 6-17-2022]

The Mayor shall appoint one of the Commission members to serve as Chair during the term of the member's term. In the absence of the Chair, the Commission shall designate an Acting Chair to serve as Chair during a meeting at which the Chair is unavailable.

The Mayor may appoint, subject to approval of the Board of Trustees, up to two alternate members who may serve in the absence of a Commission member. The alternate members shall be Village residents and shall serve without compensation. The terms of each alternate member shall be for a one-year period, commencing at 12:00 noon of the first Monday in April. The alternate members shall be designated respectively as "first alternate member" and "second alternate member." In the absence of a Commission member at any Commission meeting, the first alternate member, if available, may serve in the place of the absent member; and if the first alternate member is not available or two Commission members are not available, the second alternate member shall serve in the place of an absent member.

A member of the Board of Trustees shall serve as a liaison to the Commission and may attend meetings of the Commission. The Superintendent and/or Administrator also may attend meetings of the Commission and, if requested by the Commission, may offer advice concerning any matter within the jurisdiction of the Commission.

The Commission shall hold regular meetings at the call of the Chair.

§ 121-302 Power and authority.

[Amended 11-9-2020 by L.L. No. 10-2020]

The Commission shall serve as an advisory commission with the following powers and authority:

Tree removal permit applications. The Commission shall review tree removal applications and make recommendations and/or provide advice in accordance with the review procedure provided herein. The Commission does not grant or deny applications, as that power is vested herein with the Building Department. A recommendation shall be made by a concurring vote of not less than two votes, where there is a three-member Board, and three votes, where there is a four- or five-member Board.

[Amended 6-13-2022 by L.L. No. 2-2022, effective 6-17-2022]

Upon written request by the Building Department or the Administrator, the Commission may provide advice concerning the removal and/or replacement of any trees in the Village, including any trees in the public right-of-way. While trees in the public right-of-way do not require a tree removal application or permit, the Board of Trustees, after consultation with the Commission, may, by resolution, adopt policy guidelines for the care and maintenance of trees in the public right-of-way.

Upon written request of the Board of Trustees, the Planning Board or the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Commission may provide advice concerning the removal or planting of any tree.

The Village may maintain and update a preferred species list. The Commission may provide the Village with recommendations for inclusion on the preferred species list.