Hikind plants protest over sidewalk trees

Assemblymember says homeowners should have right to refuse

May 5, 2016 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Assemblymember Dov Hikind says the city shouldn’t be able to plant trees on sidewalks over the objections of homeowners. Photo courtesy of Hikind’s office

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The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation is continuing to plant trees on city sidewalks as part of the MillionTreesNYC beautification project started by former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, but one Brooklyn lawmaker is raising objections to the plan.

Assemblymember Dov Hikind (D-Boroug Park-Midwood) charged that the city is forcing the newly planted trees on homeowners.

Homeowners should have the right to refuse to accept trees on the sidewalks in front of their homes, according to Hikind.

“I’m very much in favor of New York City’s beautification efforts, which will prove to be environmental and aesthetically beneficial,” Hikind said in a statement. “Homeowners should have a right to refuse a tree planting in front of their home. Forcing homeowners against their will to adopt a tree is wrong.”

Hikind, who said he has received numerous calls from residents in his district voicing their objections to having trees planted in front of their homes, fired off a letter to Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver urging him to change the policy and allow homeowners the right of refusal.

Many homeowners don’t like trees because of the amount of work that is required to maintain them, Hikind said.

“I love and support the planting of trees. However, they require maintenance, which falls upon the property owner. Watering, the cleaning of falling leaves, tree limbs and debris as well as potential liability issues due to damaged and lifted sidewalks are now the responsibility of the homeowner,” Hikind said.

Prior to the MillionTreesNYC program, trees were planted on city sidewalks on a request basis, according to Hikind, who said a homeowner had the option to decline a tree planting.

Residents who wanted a tree were able to request a free planting, which was filled on a first-come, first-serve basis, he said.

“This should continue to be the practice today, where we only plant trees for those who request them in front of their home,” Hikind said.

A Parks Department spokesperson said that homeowners whose sidewalks have been uprooted or damaged by trees can receive free assistance from the city.

“Parks is committed to providing homeowners with support for local city-planted trees, and the department is proud to offer free sidewalk repair for sidewalks damaged by trees,” the spokesperson told the Brooklyn Eagle.

The Parks Department does not fine homeowners for the repair of root-damaged sidewalks, according to the spokesperson.

The agency repairs sidewalks damaged by trees through Trees & Sidewalks, a free program for one, two, and three-family homes occupied by the owner.

To date, the Parks Department has spent $33.3 million repairing sidewalks at 15,321 locations around the city. The average repair cost per site is $2,500.

Repairs are prioritized according to severity of sidewalk damage, the percentage of the sidewalk impacted by the damage, tree condition, and whether the sidewalk is in a high-traffic area.

Homeowners who have time-sensitive needs for sidewalk repair can fix their sidewalks themselves by obtaining a free permit from the Parks Department.

Meanwhile, in an effort to reduce the chances of sidewalk damage, the Parks Department has eliminated two common street trees with aggressive root systems, Norway and Silver maples, from its planting list.