OLR Bill Analysis

HB 5414

AN ACT CONCERNING APPEALS OF DECISIONS BY LOCAL TREE WARDENS.

SUMMARY:

This bill changes where people and organizations may appeal a tree warden's decision. By law, anyone objecting to a tree warden's decision to prune or remove a shrub may appeal the decision to the warden, who must hold a public hearing on the matter and decide whether to grant or deny the appeal within three days after the hearing.

Under current law, the appellant may appeal the warden's decision to Superior Court within 10 days of the decision. The bill instead allows the appellant to appeal the decision to the town's zoning board of appeals (ZBA). He must bring the appeal within 10 days of the warden' decision, and the ZBA must hear the appeal the same way it hears zoning appeals. The appellant may appeal the ZBA's decision to Superior Court.

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2007

COMMITTEE ACTION

Planning and Development Committee

Joint Favorable