On November 16, 2010, the New York City Council Committee on Parks and Recreation, chaired by Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito, met to consider Proposed Int. No. 311-A, A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring notification prior to tree planting. At this meeting, the Committee voted 6-0 in favor of the bill.
Proposed Int. No. 311-A was placed before the New York City Council at the November 18th stated meeting. Council Members voted in favor of the bill, which will now be reviewed by the Mayor. Mayor Bloomberg is expected to act on this legislation within the coming weeks.
There have been concerns that the sudden planting of trees can result in logistical stresses, such as safety concerns at certain institutions, such as schools and hospitals. Proposed Int. No. 311-A seeks to balance the need for a tree canopy with the needs of certain institutions to function properly and serve the interests of their clientele. Proposed Int. No. 311-A would require the Department of Parks and Recreation to notify a school or hospital between 30 days and 120 days prior to a tree being planted by the Department that would be located on a sidewalk within 100 feet of any entrance or exit of the school or hospital. The notification would be by personal service, facsimile or regular mail. The notice to a school would be to the principal or a designated representative. For a hospital, the notice would be to the hospital administrator.
Minority Leader James Oddo (Staten Island) is the lead sponsor for Proposed Int. No. 311-A
