CAPE MAY – City Council reaffirmed its policy of preserving trees and clarifying procedures for application for tree removal. The updated ordinance was adopted at the council’s Tuesday, Feb. 20, meeting.

The intent of the ordinance is to establish standards for the protection and preservation of trees growing in a natural state within the boundaries of the town, including in the municipal right of way and on private property.

The ordinance establishes the application requirements that must be met for tree removal and it clarifies the relative roles of the Planning and Zoning boards on the one hand and the Shade Tree Commission on the other. Removal of any tree must not only meet the application and approval requirements but is subject to the replacement obligations set forth in city code.

Shade Tree Commission Chair Jay Schatz said the updated ordinance closes loopholes in the previous city code.

Contact the author, Vince Conti, at vconti@cmcherald.com.