Tree Ordinance Modernization is an initiative to update the Municipal Tree Ordinance to be used to carry out the recommendations of the adopted Syracuse Urban Forest Master Plan (2020) over the next 20 years.
Trees are an essential part of a healthy, livable city. Trees are also city infrastructure, just as much as roads and utilities. Therefore, to be recognized as the valuable infrastructure components they are, public trees need to be treated as such by not only actions and policies, but in municipal codes and regulations.
The goal of this initiative is to analyze current city codes and ordinances impacting trees, compile and review data, and solicit stakeholder and community feedback to develop a new, updated Municipal Tree Ordinance. The primary goals of the Syracuse Urban Forest Master Plan are to:
1. Grow canopy equitably 2. Improve urban forest safety and resiliency 3. Connect the entire community to the urban forest
The City’s current Municipal Tree Ordinance was adopted in 1958 and modified in 1981. With limited tree protection and mitigation measures for public and private land, or design standards, this ordinance requires modernizing to reflect the City’s current vision for urban forestry as outlined in the Urban Forest Master Plan. The Urban Forest Master Plan serves as a roadmap for how the Syracuse community can work together to protect, preserve and grow our urban tree canopy.
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Join us for the following meetings to share your feedback:
Westcott Community Center, 826 Euclid Ave
Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St
Google Meet Link
301 Hiawatha Blvd
White Branch Library, 763 Butternut St
View Committee