Important Meeting for Sea Cliff Residents.
On Monday, September 16 at 8 PM, the Village of Sea Cliff will be holding a public hearing over the restrictive tree ordinances previously instituted in the Village. At stake is the issue over whether or not to reverse these laws.
SCPOC Fights Overbearing Village Regulations
The SCPOC has vigorously fought against these tree regulations in the past at public hearings both in the Village of Sea Cliff and the Town of Oyster Bay. We have demanded that the Village revert back to the “old tree law,” when property owners were entitled to remove one tree per year without interference. Most notably, SCPOC Director Anthony Losquadro was interviewed on camera in August 2012 by FOX5 News on the tree ordinance issue. While Losquadro appeared on camera, no Village officials agreed to be interviewed on camera. FOX5 News ultimately interviewed Village Attorney Brian Stolar over the phone. Ominously, the dispute over tree laws was just months before Hurricane Sandy wrecked destruction in the Village with downed trees.
History on Sea Cliff Tree Regulations
In years past, property owners could remove one tree per year without any approval from the Village. The Village later moved to regulate tree removal of trees over 6″ in diameter. The Village then increased the tree size to 8″ diameter or greater. The updated regulations added sections 121-301/302; 121.501 through 121.505 and 121.701/121.702 to the Village Code.
New Regulations Create the “TREE COMMITTEE”
The regulations give the Building Superintendent and his “Tree Committee” practically full control over the trees on your property. The Committee consists of the Building Superintendent, one member of the Board of Trustees and one resident. In order to do a routine tree removal, a resident has to relinquish his privacy to this group of village officials. Additionally, it subjects property owners to the whim of the Building Superintendent by granting him overbearing authority.
For instance, the Building Superintendent can force a property owner to pay a professional arborist for an evaluation about the advisability of removal or the viability of a tree. He can also demand that replacement trees be planted, he can specify the type of tree. These demands not only add significant costs to the job, but may be against the wishes of the property owner.
Current Tree Ordinances Harm Property Owners
These restrictive tree regulations have diminished the rights of property owners, and were an attempt by the Village to micromanage your property. The regulations were written to discourage and delay tree removal, which can leave potentially dangerous or hazardous trees standing for too long. Our homes are vulnerable due to severe storms that can hit our area. Climate change is making these storms more frequent and intense. Falling trees can cause severe damage to homes, injure or kill persons caught in their path, and knock out the delicate LIPA power grid.
Take Action
SCPOC urges all Sea Cliff Residents to attend the Hearing and voice their opposition to the current tree regulations. Property owners should demand the right to manage their property without Village interference be restored.
SCPOC is not suggesting that people be given the right to “clear-cut” a property.We are saying the property owners have the right to remove one tree per year without Village approval.
Town Hall Meeting, Monday, September 16th at 8p.m.