On September 17, 2007, the Department of City Planning referred for public review, an amendment to the Zoning Resolution proposed by the Department that would establish a requirement for street tree planting in all zoning districts, and a requirement for a planting strip between the sidewalk and the curb in lower-density residential zoning districts (R1 - R5). The proposed text changes would not involve modifications to existing use and bulk regulations.

Why is This Text Amendment Needed?
The proposed text would help achieve many city objectives and provide environmental, aesthetic, and safety benefits. This proposed street tree planting requirement supports Mayor Bloomberg's PlaNYC goals for increased street tree canopy, air quality improvement, and storm water management.

Environmental Benefits
Street trees help reduce the urban heat island effect by providing cool shade over paved roadways. Trees and vegetation filter the air and reduce air pollutants such as particulates and carbon dioxide. Trees and sidewalk planting strips capture storm water, thus reducing storm water runoff, which in turn reduces strain on city sewer infrastructure. 

Aesthetic Benefits
Street trees and planting strips enhance the overall appearance of developments and neighborhoods.  Residents and pedestrians enjoy shaded buildings and sidewalks.  Street trees and planting strips improve the character and scale of neighborhood streetscapes, and soften otherwise continuous pavement in the public right-of-way.

Safety Benefits
Street trees buffer pedestrians from vehicular traffic, and reduce glare by shading roadways. 

Today's Hearing
Signing up to speak: Anyone wishing to speak on any of the items must fill out a speaker's slip supplied at the staff desk outside the 1st Floor hearing chambers on the day of the hearing. Speakers on each item will be called in the order these slips are submitted, with the exception that public officials will be allowed to speak first. If a large number of people wish to speak on a particular item, statements will be taken alternating every 30 minutes between those speaking in support of the proposal and those speaking in opposition.

Length of Testimony: In order to give others an opportunity to speak, all speakers are asked to limit their remarks to three minutes.

STREET TREES - BENEFITS

• The proposed text, which mandates street tree planting, is one of the 127 PlaNYC initiatives announced by Mayor Bloomberg on Earth Day to green the city. The proposed text would result in approximately 10,000 new street trees per year.
• Street trees help reduce the urban heat island effect by providing cool shade over paved roadways.
• Trees and vegetation filter the air and reduce air pollutants such as particulates and carbon dioxide. 
• Trees and sidewalk planting strips capture storm water, thus reducing storm water runoff, which in turn reduces strain on city sewer infrastructure. The average street tree in New York City intercepts over 1400 gallons of storm water each year. 
• Street trees and planting strips enhance the overall appearance of developments and neighborhoods. Residents and pedestrians enjoy shaded buildings and sidewalks.
• Street trees buffer pedestrians from vehicular traffic, and reduce glare by shading roadways.

STREET TREE ZONING TEXT - SPECIFICS

• Would require street trees in all zoning districts for new developments, enlargements of 20 percent or more and some changes of use. Industrial uses which would conflict with street trees would be exempt from the requirement.
• Zoning requirements would be based on lot frontage, requiring one street tree for every 25 feet of street frontage, with a minimum requirement of one street tree. Existing street trees in front of the property could fulfill the requirement.
• In higher density residential districts, R6 and above, as well as commercial and manufacturing districts, trees would be required in tree pits with cobble stones, vegetative groundcover, or a metal grate.
• In lower density residential districts, R1 through R5, trees would be planted in a continuous sidewalk planting strip.
• Where development sites front on sidewalks that cannot accommodate required trees due to existing infrastructure or in certain Historic Districts where street trees are inconsistent with the industrial character, the required trees must be planted in an existing tree pit or on city-owned land within the Community District or a half-mile of the development site.
• The process will be overseen by the Department of Parks and Recreation which sets standards for street tree planting design, and the Department of Buildings, which issues building permits.