Tree Ordinance Branches to Third Round of Changes

After a prior attempt to move an of all trees in River Edge the governing body along with the Shade Tree Commission met on Monday to find an amendable solution by removing any language pertaining to trees on private property.

"What we did was take out all references to private trees per the council's request," Borough Attorney Sam Cereste said. "This would only dictate regulation of shade trees or any trees in the public right of way. The only instance of regulating private trees is as part of the municipal land use law for requirements of site plan development."

The prior version of legislation called for the Shade Tree Commission to have jurisidiction over the removal and protection of any trees located on both private and public property except in those cases which are exempt. 

But because the governing body felt the ordinance was stepping on property owners rights, it was rejected so that further changes could take place. 

Staying in the new ordinance is a requirement for the removal of any trees by combining an application for removal with that of attaining a building permit and place a greater emphasis on larger home construction and that of redevelopment projects over smaller construction projects by homeowners. The requirement calls for a survey showing what trees currently exist on the property and which, if any would be removed.

The latest version of the ordinance will appear for a first reading at the next council meeting on June 25.

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