BridgeCivic has been advocating to establish a town-wide comprehensive tree planting and maintenance program, a project contemplated by the Town’s Comprehensive Plan of 1999 that to date has not come to fruition. Our proposal included: 1) a budget for a Town arborist or consulting arborist, 2) the taking of a tree inventory, 3) replacement of trees in Historic Districts and public easements with right tree right place and native trees where possible, and 4) an amendment to Town Code requiring that all newly planted trees on private property be planted at a distance away from the property line of at least 50% of the mature canopy width so that private tree canopies and their roots do not infringe on neighbors' sunlight or soil, and their maintenance, including costly pruning, do not become the neighbors' responsibility or expense, which can be considerable.

Southampton is proposing a 5 ft buffer for the planting of trees, shrubs and bushes from the front and side yard property lines to address plantings that encroach onto neighboring properties imposing a financial hardship on the neighboring property to maintain. A public hearing was held on June 24, 2025. Feedback included relief/exceptions for small properties, consideration of alternatives that instead shift responsibility to the planter for encroachments, interplay with revegetation plans, appealability to the ZBA (which hands out lots of variances) and restrictions on invasive plants.

Also proposed is a limit on plantings within the sight triangle on corner properties to no more than 2 ft in height. Public input seemed supportive.

This is really a clearing proposal. It applies to all commercial and industrial properties, as well as residential properties over 2 acres. Initial review by members raised concerns that as currently drafted the proposal is overly broad, as the proposal requires a permit before removing any tree from the soil (including an arborist certification for any dead or dying tree), there are no exceptions for nurseries or transplanting and it could create a permit bottleneck on an already overworked planning staff.

The proposal also includes the ability to landmark a tree, and many members seem supportive.