July 2,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, several very large trees came down before the end of the month . As many readers are aware a new ordinance regulating tree removals on private property was unanimously passed by Village Council members on 6/14. A permit will now be required to remove any tree larger than 8 inches in diameter. Any healthy tree removed must be replaced, or a payment made in lieu of replacement.
The ordinance went into effect July 1st and it looks like some were working to beat the dead line . While it is difficult to know the reasons behind the tree take down .
How did the new owner of 362 East Glen destroy all of these 100 foot high, healthy trees, just under the start of this new ordinance? Another McMansion?? Once again it seems like the Spirit of the ordinance was thrown into the face of Village Residents.
this town is so full of shit. we are sick of it. if it’s not one thing it’s another.
UPDATE: Due to an inadvertent omission of required information from the legal notice associated with Ordinance #3599 (the “tree ordinance”), the ordinance is invalid and a new ordinance will need to be voted on by Village Council members in July (likely to take effect in August). This was announced by Village Manager Heather Mailander during this past week’s meeting.
funny how the communications never seem to reach the voters!
I support this ordinance. I am sick to death of people just taking down one majestic tree after the next. Trees are an amazing resource and these self-serving people who want less shade on their patio (or whatever their reason) do not realize this. Yes, if a tree is dying or damaged, I understand that it presents a threat. But perfectly healthy trees should be maintained by proper pruning every year or so, and allowed to flourish. If you do not like trees, move to the city.
How much do we need to pay if we do not replace the tree?
If the price is too high I will buy a sapling and water it the maximum 2x a week. That will kill it.
This council is a joke
The ordinance needs to save trees, not pocket a fund our be replaced by a sapling. 100 year old, 70 foot trees cannot be replaced to the same level in our life time that we will see. And agree, if you only water twice a week it all not survive. Most families everyone works, who has time to hand hold the hose.
@7.18am. So you’re an expert in determining from a distance which trees are being removed because they are diseased? I can assure you that people are not removing trees at considerable cost because of wanting less shade. Disease is rampant with suburban trees and unless you want to be the next story on this Blog about a tree collapsing through your house, or worse still, killing a pedestrian, I suggest you get your facts straight.
7:18. Who are you to say that I must keep a tree on private property?
If you like government control why don’t you move to North Korea?
“I” – you have nothing nice to say about anything, do you? Who is your alter ego, “pesmith?”
Read the whole ordinance as published in today’s Record. Nearly a whole page and costing a thousand bucks. They even say you can’t leash your dog to a tree if it will harm the tree. I didn’t know this was a rampant problem in the village. In my own piece of town, most properties have 6-10 trees. It’s more overreach by this power-hungry VC
If there’s a chance to reverse this decision the council should take the opportunity to do so. It’s absolutely ridiculous that taxpayers have to justify removing a tree on their own private property and I can promise this will be yet another bottleneck getting permits. This PC council needs to start taking care of infrastructure, parking, housing, etc. before they start worrying what I’m planting in my own yard. If this is the result of the shade tree commission then disband them they aren’t helping anyone. There are trees in Ridgewood that are 100 years old and nothing lasts forever. People have the right to decide minor things like this without government interference. So far I think Heather and the council are way out of their leagues. There are plenty of trees on rights of way that the town doesn’t maintain. Why don’t they take care of their own business before intruding on mine. PS the town has removed at least half dozen trees in my neighborhood. I have no idea why. Maybe they should start justifying to us every time they do something….
8.24 is right.they serve at our command and we should clean house again if they destroy the train station and or tough one tree there
Smart people are painting their houses for a make a killing home sale and getting out of this Nanny knows better town..what a croc.who are these people who want to control every aspect of our Lives? Size of water heater flue connections ..etc how many times we flush…pave a street VOR..That’s the issue you want to bury amidst the nanny tree state here..
2:26… can you provide an english translation?
government over reach
2:26 guess the status quo is good enough for You then.Town constantly overreaches into those they serve with extraordinary and costly and intrusive regulatory oversight.clear enough?