Fiscal Note
The proposed ordinance changes are to enhance the City's street tree protection and to establish a Street Tree Replacement Fund. No City funds required.
Title
SUBSTITUTE: Amending Sections 4.095, 10.05, 10.055, 10.08, 10.101, 23.24 and 1.08(3)(a) and Creating Section 10.105 of the Madison General Ordinances to enhance the City’s street tree protection provisions and to establish a Street Tree Replacement Fund.
Body
DRAFTER’S ANALYSIS: This ordinance makes numerous changes to the City’s ordinances to enhance the City’s protection of its street trees.
Under the ordinance, and in combination with contemporaneous changes to the Tree Protection Specifications of the City’s Standard Specifications for Public Works Construction, additional requirements will be placed on users of the public rights-of-way to identify street tree related conflicts earlier, to take precautions to protect street trees from damage, injury or removal if possible, and to require tree replacement and reestablishment where removals occur. These changes are being made to and incorporated within several permits: the right-of-way excavation permit under Section 10.05; the street occupation permit under Section 10.055; driveway permits under Section 10.08; and tree trimming, pruning and removal permits under Section 10.101. Permittees will be required to identify impacted trees at the time of application, obtain prior permission for any tree removal, and abide by the Tree Protection Specifications for any associated work. Permits may be denied if street tree impacts will occur, and permits may be revoked if street trees are damaged or removed without authority. Where street trees are removed by third parties, persons will be required to replace and reestablish street trees, which may include planting new trees or payment to the newly established Street Tree Replacement Fund, the proceeds of which will be used by the City to support the planting, establishment and protection of stre...
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