(A) Any resident or property owner in the Village of Bingham Farms may nominate a tree for Historic Tree or Specimen Tree designation by the Planning Commission, based upon its age, type, size, and historical or cultural association. As a guideline the Planning Commission may consider a significant size to be a minimum d.b.h. of 18 inches or a size significant to the tree's species.
(B) Historic or Specimen Trees must be in good health/condition as determined by the village.
(C) The nomination shall be made on a form provided by the Planning Commission. If the nomination is made by a person who is not the owner of the property on which the tree is located, the owner shall be notified in writing, by regular U.S. Mail, at least 15 days in advance of the date, time, and place that the Planning Commission will consider the designation. The notice shall advise the owner that designation will make it unlawful to damage, destroy, or remove the tree. If the owner does not object, the Planning Commission may designate the tree if it meets one or more of the criteria outlined above. If the owner objects, the Planning Commission shall not designate the proposed Historic or Specimen Tree.
(D) It shall be unlawful for any person to remove, damage or destroy a Historic or Specimen Tree.
(Ord. 189, passed 8-23-04)