The Orland Park Plan Commission postponed action Tuesday night on a proposal to levy fines against builders who are accused of recklessly cutting down trees for development.
Commissioners said they want to fine-tune the language of the proposed ordinance but, more importantly, want to increase the proposed fines.
The initial proposal had called for a fine equal to $100 per diameter inch of any tree that is unnecessarily eliminated, said Plan Commission Chairperson Shirley Fazio. Commissioners said they want to double that fine to $200 per inch, and raise it to $300 per inch for repeat offenders.
The proposal would be an amendment to an existing code that requires developers to conduct a tree survey of land before the start of construction and to plant new trees as replacements for those that cannot be saved.
The village has aerial maps to track existing topography, but the best policing efforts come from neighboring residents, said Bob Sullivan, community development director.
