§ 25-101. Purpose.

1. 

Pursuant to the Pennsylvania Borough Code, the Phoenixville Borough Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the citizens of Phoenixville to promote and protect their health, safety and welfare to adopt a tree ordinance. The Borough Council recognizes the role that trees play in the Borough's ecosystem. Phoenixville is committed to enhancing the urban forest for the many benefits that trees provide. The tree canopy is a key component to minimize the damaging effects of stormwater runoff to the Borough, the French Creek, Schuylkill River and other streams, and, ultimately, the Delaware Valley River Basin. Trees reduce air temperature; reduce heating and cooling costs resulting in lower greenhouse gas emissions; improve property values; enhance physical and psychological health; and reduce air pollutants. Trees help people reconnect with nature. In order to establish a responsible program for planting, maintenance, protection or removal of trees or shrubs in public areas of the Borough of Phoenixville, the Borough Council finds it necessary to establish this chapter.

2. 

This chapter establishes policies, regulations, and standards necessary to ensure that the Borough will continue to realize the benefits provided by trees. The provisions of this chapter are enacted for the purpose of:

A. 

Providing protection, preservation, replacement, and proper maintenance of regulated trees.

B. 

Promoting and maintaining the aesthetic value of the streets of the Borough.

C. 

Providing for an orderly and efficient means of maintaining and protecting regulated trees.

D. 

Promoting the public health, safety, comfort and general welfare.

E. 

Saving trees from indiscriminate destruction or unnecessary removal.

F. 

Diversifying the regulated tree species in the Borough.

G. 

Establishing standards limiting and regulating the removal of regulated trees.

H. 

Establishing an education program providing information and guidelines for regulated tree preservation and maintenance.

I. 

Provide the minimum regulation necessary to ensure these important resources are preserved wherever possible while accommodating the landowner's property rights to make reasonable use of their property through compliance with other standards of this and other applicable Borough ordinances.

J. 

Promoting the utilization of regulated trees and private trees to mitigate stormwater runoff.

Ord. No. 2018-2288, 8/14/2018