The Village Board’s Community Development Committee voted Monday night to approve a 12-page tree-preservation policy that will require developers to get a permit before cutting any trees.
The new guidelines are designed to prevent developers from cutting trees needlessly and will set up a system of fines for any unauthorized tree cutting, said Orland Park Community Development Director Bob Sullivan.
For years, developers have been asked to submit a tree survey of their land along with their development plans, but the policy on preserving trees didn’t include a provision for enforcement, said Plan Commission Chairman Shirley Fazio, who spoke in favor of the new policy at a meeting earlier this month.
The proposed rule would require a developer to apply for a permit to cut down any tree having a diameter of 4 inches or more. Violators would be fined $200 per inch for the first offense, with stiffer fines for repeat offenders.
