While New York City’s Parks Department continues planting more trees as part of former Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s MillionTreesNYC beautification project, Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) objected to NYC’s motion to force newly planted trees on homeowners.
“I’m very much in favor of New York City’s beautification efforts, which will prove to be environmental and aesthetically beneficial,” said Assemblyman Dov Hikind said. “Homeowners should have a right to refuse a tree planting in front of their home. Forcing homeowners against their will to adopt a tree is wrong.”
After receiving numerous calls from residents within the district voicing their objection to having a tree planted in front of their home, Hikind wrote a letter to Commissioner of the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Mitchel Silver urging him to change NYC policy and allow homeowners the right of refusal.
“I love and support the planting of trees, however they require maintenance, which falls upon the property owner,” Hikind said. “Watering, the cleaning of falling leaves, tree limbs and debris as well as potential liability issues due to damaged and lifted sidewalks are now the responsibility of the homeowner. In addition, a planted tree may result in a narrowed sidewalk. The fact that people were not aware that trees were being planted until their sidewalk was marked and cut is simply wrong.”
Prior to the MillionTreesNYC program, trees were planted on a request basis with an option for the homeowner to decline a tree planting. Residents who wanted a tree were able to request a free planting, which was filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.
“This should continue to be the practice today, where we only plant trees for those who request them in front of their home,” Assemblyman Hikind said.
(YWN Desk – NYC)
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6 Responses
I’m surprised that Hikind doesn’t know that the City is responsible for damage to a sidewalk from a tree. I’s going to be many years before a 2″ caliper tree could possibly damage a sidewalk. Street trees reduce cooling costs and add to a homes value.
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Not to mention the potential damage homeowners have to face from the root systems that may damage their walks and underground properties. Added costs to stop weeds and the fall clean up from growing. Unless the city is going to pay for all that. Homewoners should be given the choice whether they want a tree. Also on Coney Island, where they have planted many new trees and added metal gates. It makes it harder for people on the passenger sides to get out from their vehicles. This was not wisely thought out. Also, more garbage for homeowners and businesses owners who will now have to deal with the mess leaves
The trees are planted on public rights of way not on the private property of the homeowner. Under the new program, trees are chosen for their ability to withstand the stress of an urban environment and do not include those with any kinds of nuts or seed pods that will be a nuisance. Just leaves. Most importantly, these trees are a major factor in reducing air pollution, absorbing carbon dioxoide and other green house gases and also generally lower the ambient “heat profile” of areas that are nearly 100 percent paved over. Hikind should think twice about advocating for selfish individuals who worries about raking leaves in the fall and as a frum yid, should step back and think about his and our obligations for tikun olam.
On my block (mixed residential / commercial)there is a no standing zone. A few years ago the city put a tree 5 feet in front of the sign. It became a cash cow for the city. Since the tree was blocking the sign people parked there not realizing its a no standing zone. I personally went down to my councilman who was no other then our current mayor with pictures. I will quote what I was told by his chief of staff. “I may be able to get you a second sign put up but the city will never remove the tree.”
Thanks dov. A yid should never have to do a goy’s job raking up leaves. It is a yids right to live in boro park with garbage strewn all over the street.
Why is dov so concerned with trees when he can better focus his attention on double parking, buses and garbage trucks clogging streets, and a basic disregard for traffic laws by both drivers and pedestrians?