CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Waive the first reading and pass the ordinance repealing and replacing Title 9 Chapter 3 of the Naperville Municipal Code regarding urban forest protection (requires six positive votes)
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DEPARTMENT: Department of Public Works
SUBMITTED BY: Richard Dublinski, Director
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
On June 20, 2021, an EF-3 tornado touched down in Naperville causing severe damage to the area just south of 75th Street and Ranchview Drive. As a result, 240 parkway trees were removed. Following the tornado, the City Council approved replanting the trees in the hardest hit area at no cost to the residents within one year. To assist with this expense, the City applied for, and received, the Urban and Community Forestry Grant. The funds were provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Urban and Community Forestry Partner Grant Program and administered by The Morton Arboretum and the Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI).
One of the grant requirements is to have a Tree Preservation/Protection ordinance that regulates trees on public property. The purpose of the ordinance is twofold:
1. Recognize the benefits that trees provide as a collective asset to the entire community, and
2. To state the goals of the City with respect to the protection, preservation, care and planting of trees on public property.
The existing Title 9, Chapter 3 of the Municipal Code did not fully meet these requirements.
DISCUSSION:
To meet the requirements of the grant program, Title 9 Chapter 3 of the Municipal Code is being repealed and replaced to create basic management practices for public trees. The ordinance dictates that the Department of Public Works has authority over trees on public property and outlines the standards of care for tree planting, tree trimming, and tree removal. In addition, the amendments provide ...
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