(A) Prohibiting the mutilation of public trees. It shall be a violation of the provisions of this chapter for any person to abuse, destroy or mutilate any tree, plant or shrub in a public parking strip or any other public place, or to attach or place any rope, wire (other than one used to support a young or broken tree), sign, poster, handbill or other things to or on any tree growing in a public place, or to cause or permit any wire charged with electricity to be placed or attached to any such tree, or allow any gaseous, liquid, or solid substance which is harmful to such tree to come in contact with their roots, trunks or leaves.
(B) Requiring protection of trees during construction, new developments, sidewalk repair, utility work below ground. Trees of desirable species and good health shall be protected as much as possible from damage during construction, sidewalk repair, utilities work below ground, and other similar activities. The zone of protection shall include the ground beneath the canopy and the drip-line of the tree. In new subdivisions or when the new development of commercial property occurs, the Village Manager, or designee, shall review landscaping plans and may require street trees to be planted in any of the streets, parking lots, parks and other public places abutting lands henceforth developed and/or subdivided.
(C) Requiring protection of trees during utility work above ground. Utility companies are responsible for conducting a courtesy call to the Village Manager, or designee, to review all upcoming utility line clearance work to be performed within the following four to six weeks. All utility line clearance work will be performed based upon growth rates specific to individual tree species and in accordance to the International Society of Arboriculture’s Proper Pruning Techniques publication, found in Appendix C of the Standards and Specifications Manual accompanying Ord. 202.
(D) Establishing standards to replace trees removed and protect endangered trees. Whenever any vegetation is removed by any person, including the village, for the construction of any public improvement, the Director of Public Works, whenever practicable, shall require the replanting of at least 50% of the removed diameter base with a similar tree or shrub to take the place of those removed.
(Ord. 202, passed 7-10-2013) Penalty, see § 94.99