Huntington Woods revokes tree ordinance

HUNTINGTON WOODS (AP) - Huntington Woods city has repealed an ordinance that requires homeowners to get permits, consult with tree experts and pay fees for cutting down trees that aren't diseased or dying. Mayor Ronald Gillham tells The Detroit News the city commission's five members revoked the ordinance at a meeting Tuesday night. The vote was unanimous and comes a few months after the commission passed the law. City officials intended to use the ordinance to discourage homeowners from taking down healthy, mature trees. Some residents saw it as the city government over-stepping its bounds and a violation of private property rights. Huntington Woods has more than 6,000 residents and 2,000 homes. Published: Fri, Aug 22, 2014