the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Franklin Lakes NJ, on Tuesday, June 20, the Franklin Lakes Mayor and Council adopted comprehensive amendments to its Tree Removal and Replacement ordinance which reinforce the Mayor and Council’s commitment to preserving the tree canopy in the Borough – Ordinance 1918 – Tree Removal and Replacement Amendments.
The Mayor and Council worked with the Borough’s Shade Tree Commission to amend the Borough’s tree ordinances to more effectively deter property owners, developers, contractors and tree contractors from removing more trees than necessary and to better maintain the tree canopy. The approach is multi-pronged, and includes the following key elements:
Require tree replacement – For the most part, except for trees removed that are hazardous, dead or dying, or that are located within the footprint of a new structure or an addition, trees that are removed must be replaced.
New tree replacement schedule – For each tree removed, depending on the diameter of the tree, it must be replaced with one or more trees, based on the schedule in the ordinance. Trees 34 inches in diameter or more must be replaced with 9 trees.
Stricter penalties – Fines for violations of the ordinance range from $500 to $5,000 per tree, as well as tree replacement in accordance with the schedule.
Contractors and tree care businesses can be fined – In addition to property owners, this ordinance provides that contractors and tree care businesses may also be fined.
Remove “loopholes” – Eliminate provisions which allow for tree removal for new construction outside of the area needed for the new construction.
The Borough recently contracted with a new Tree Specialist, ED Arborists and Foresters, and they are charged with enforcing the Borough’s ordinances on tree removal and replacement. The Borough and its Tree Specialist are focused on stopping unnecessary tree removal. Failing to obtain required permits now will result in significant consequences. Compliance is the Borough’s ultimate objective.
Michael Tulp, the Borough’s Shade Tree Commission Chair, has given his thanks to Mayor Kahwaty, the Borough Council, and the Shade Tree Commission, stating that “the amendments are a modernization of sorts in keeping with strong sustainability criteria.”
Knowing the importance of the Borough’s tree canopy and how it “benefits all our residents,” Michael Tulp is confident that the recent amendments “will have continuing benefits long into the future of the community.”
The borough is also working on a proposal that would authorize the borough to establish a tax-financed open space fund will be on the ballot in November.
If it is approved, the borough would be authorized to impose a levy of 1 cent per $100 assessed valuation, or $106 per year on the average home, valued at $1,063,000.
An estimated $450,000 would be raised annually to help the borough acquire, develop and maintain land for conservation and recreation purposes. An open space levy would also make the borough eligible for New Jersey Green Acres Planning Incentive matching grants for the acquisition of open space.
If approved, the levy would have to be renewed every five years by referendum.
“I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed
Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.”
― Joyce Kilmer (Mahwah ) , Trees & Other Poems
