Pittsford Town City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XXII
Tree Department
§ 185-153 Purpose and intent.
This article is enacted to designate the Town's Department of Public Works as the official Tree Department of the Town of Pittsford for the purpose of the Town's application for recognition as an Arbor Day Foundation Tree City USA and for the following purposes:
A.
Clarify that the Public Works Department is responsible for management and care of the Town's community trees, through its Parks and Highway Departments.
B.
Continue efficient and cost-effective management of the Town's community trees.
C.
Continue the planting, maintenance, and preservation of the Town's community trees in order to protect and enhance the environment and character of the Town.
D.
Continue the practice of consulting with professional arborists from time to time when necessary or desirable.
E.
In conjunction with the Town's Communications Department, foster community support through educational outreach, and encourage good citizen tree management practices through knowledge sharing.
§ 185-154 Authority; supersession of state law.
This article is adopted pursuant to the authority granted by the Municipal Home Rule Law and shall supersede any provision of state law which is inconsistent herewith.
§ 185-155 Definitions.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
A tree on Town-owned land or within the right-of-way of a Town public street.
The Town-owned land bordering a Town public street used for sidewalks, edge stone, planting spaces, and/or utility transmission.
A living perennial, woody plant, including all of its parts, whose trunk is greater than three inches in diameter at a height of four feet above the ground and whose full height at maturity would reach a minimum of 12 feet.
§ 185-156 Responsibilities of Tree Department.
The responsibilities of the Tree Department shall be as follows:
A.
Tree City recognition and grant applications. In conjunction with the Town's Chief of Staff and its Communications Director, the Commissioner of Public Works shall advise and assist with the designation and annual renewal of the Arbor Day Foundation Tree City USA recognition and advise and coordinate the submission of future Urban Forestry Grant applications.
B.
Community tree maintenance. The Tree Department will be responsible for the planting, maintenance, and removal of community trees.
C.
Environmental education and awareness. Together with the Town's Chief of Staff and the Communications Director, the Tree Department will coordinate and promote the Town's annual Arbor Day celebration and activities. As the Department's time and resources allow, it may also support local schools, libraries, and community centers in offering environmental education programs and programing relating to tree planting and preservation.
D.
Best management practices for community tree care and maintenance.
(1)
The Tree Department will have supervision over the species and variety of trees to be planted, including the size, height, and width of the trees, and expected maximum growth.
(2)
The Tree Department will supervise the management and care of the Town's community trees.
(3)
The Tree Department will have supervision over protecting and controlling the spread of invasive species affecting the Town's community trees and evaluating means to control such spread of invasive species and to mitigate damage caused by it.