(A) It shall be unlawful for any person to cut, fell, injure, or remove any tree standing on any street right-of-way, parkway, or any other public area in the village unless such person shall apply to the Village Administrator for a permit and obtain approval from the Tree Board. The Tree Board shall take into consideration the health, size and location of the tree when deciding on whether to issue a permit. The village shall issue an approved permit only when such person has deposited the sum of $500 into a non-interest-bearing escrow account with the village to guarantee that such person replaces the tree so removed. The replacement tree shall be of at least a two-inch caliper of a variety on the village's approved tree list. The escrow amount shall be returned to such person when the replacement tree has been planted. However, if such a person does not replace the removed tree within six months after removal, then the entire escrow amount shall be forfeited for the village to replace the tree.
(1) Application submission.
(a) An applicant for a simple tree removal or planting on public property shall fill out a tree removal or tree planting request online, or in person, and the village arborist shall inspect and render a determination.
(b) If a removal or planting is significant or in conjunction with any type of development, then a full tree preservation plan and inventory for the area to be impacted may be required. (See landscape code located in the Village Code of Ordinances § 154.070 for more information.) The village shall review the application. This review shall include an inspection of the site and referral of the application for recommendation to other appropriate administrative departments or agencies. The village shall render a decision on the application within ten working days of its receipt of a properly completed application.
(2) Permit issuance.
(a) Issuance. The village shall issue a permit upon approval of an application and payment of the required fee and bond.
(b) Time limitation. A permit shall expire and become null and void if work authorized is not commenced within one year from the date of the permit or if such work when commenced is suspended or abandoned at any time for a period of one year.
(B) If work has commenced and the permit becomes null and void or expires because of a lack of progress or abandonment, a new permit for the proposed tree removal and planting activity shall be obtained before proceeding with further work.
(Ord. 23-03, passed 1-9-23)