Talks to continue on tree ordinances

Upper Freehold Township committee continues discussion regarding how best to address tree management while protecting property owners’ rights.

By: Lauren Burgoon
   UPPER FREEHOLD — Nearly a year after the Township Committee first considered adopting clear-cutting regulations for private land, a final vote on the regulations still is not in sight.
   How best to address tree management while protecting property owners’ rights has been hanging in the balance since last July, when the Township Committee pulled a tree management ordinance amid public outcry. The committee took up the issue again in March with two tree-related ordinances. One sets up regulations for developers, the other for homeowners. Both would regulate how many trees can be cleared from land, what approvals would be needed and the penalties for violations.
   But even now the ordinances’ fates are still unknown. The committee held public hearings on both ordinances May 5 with the admission that each could need substantial rewrites. If the committee wants to make significant changes to either, the ordinance must be reintroduced, requiring yet another round of public hearings.
   The lengthy and complex ordinances are drawing a lot of critiques and many people want their concerns addressed point by point. The committee’s five-minute time limit on public comments has forced several people to cut their opinions short, so the Township Committee is now asking those who wish to comment or question the proposed ordinances to submit their concerns in writing.
   Written or vocal, there is certainly no shortage of opinions on tree management in town. Even though it is unknown when, if ever, the committee will move on the ordinances, residents are planting themselves firmly on opposing sides. On one side there are landowners who have come forward to essentially invite the committee to butt out of their business.
   Alex Herenchak of Province Line Road said the proposed ordinances ignore citizens’ rights and contain vague language. He called the proposal "a bureaucratic monster" and "a mess" and urged the committee to vote it down immediately.
   "This is wrong. It shouldn’t even be considered. I’d like to kill the whole damn ordinance," Mr. Herenchak said of the residential tree removal ordinance.
   On the other side are people like Jonathan Holmes Road resident Sue Kozel, who wants a tree management ordinance established immediately. Some properties, like farms, tree nurseries and orchards are not subject to the proposed law. Ms. Kozel urged the committee to include all landowners instead.
   "I am concerned that tree harvesting will occur that clears the land because of the desire to clear the land prior to selling of individual home properties as part of a large development project," she said.
   The public hearings were continued to June 2, but with the committee’s acknowledgment that the ordinances won’t be ready to vote on.