§ 385-1. Declaration of policy; scope.

The planting and maintenance of trees have a direct relationship on the health, safety, beauty and welfare of the community, inasmuch as trees provide shade, reduce the need for air conditioning, absorb air pollution and provide oxygen to the air, stabilize soil and reduce erosion and flooding, offer a natural barrier to noise and enhance the beauty and appearance of the Village of Sleepy Hollow. Conversely, indiscriminate and excessive cutting of trees and damage to trees in order for the creation of subdivisions and on private property cause barren and unsightly conditions, increase surface drainage problems thereby increasing municipal expense to control drainage, impair the stability and value of improved and unimproved real property and cause deterioration of the community, all of which adversely affect the health, safety and general welfare of the inhabitants of the Village of Sleepy Hollow. Therefore, it is the intent of this chapter that all the trees, as hereinafter defined, on private as well as public property within the Village of Sleepy Hollow shall come under the jurisdiction of this chapter.