05/13/2026 Shade Tree Commission Meeting

City of Cape May Shade Tree Commission Auditorium/Live Stream Meeting Minutes of Wednesday, May 13, 2025 5:00 pm CALL TO ORDER Chairman Ator called the meeting to order and announced compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act of 1975, that adequate notice of this meeting has been provided. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chairman Ator led the meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance. ATTENDANCE Chairman Ator, Vice Chairman Werner, Commissioner Sick, Commissioner Drake, Commissioner Goldstein. ABSENT MEMBERS Commissioner York GUESTS Chris Gillin-Schwartz, Esq., Deputy City Manager Justin Riggs APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Drake motioned, seconded by Chairman Ator to approve the minutes of April 8, 2026. Chairman Ator – Yes Commissioner Goldstein – Yes Commissioner Sick - Yes Vice Chairman Werner - Abstain Commissioner Drake – Abstain City Solicitor Chris Gillin-Schwartz presented changes and modifications to the City’s Tree Ordinance. He explained these changes are due to ongoing issues that the City is dealing with. The changes will set up unlawful pruning or cutting of a regulated tree. This is also for evasion of the tree removal permitting requirement. Vice Chairman Werner motioned, seconded by Commissioner Sick to approve the Shade Tree Resolution for the changes to the Ordinance Chairman Ator – Yes Commissioner Goldstein – Yes Commissioner Sick - Yes Vice Chairman Werner - Yes Commissioner Drake – Yes Street Tree Removal Requests 1001 Maryland Avenue Chairman Ator stated that this tree has been overly pruned and is in bad shape. He believed it should be removed and put a substantial size tree in its place. Commissioner Sick motioned, seconded by Commissioner Drake to approve the removal of the tree and replant a tree in its place Chairman Ator – Yes Commissioner Goldstein – Yes Commissioner Sick - Yes Vice Chairman Werner - No Commissioner Drake – Yes Residential Tree Removal Requests 21 Patterson Avenue Owner, Amy Walker, and professional engineer, Brian Murphy, presented the application to remove trees at 21 Patterson Avenue. Ms. Walker explained that she had been experiencing significant flooding in the backyard when there was significant rainfall. Mr. Murphy explained that they are proposing to put 50 feet of pipe and a trench to help. Chairman Ator questioned whether the drain could be placed on the other side of the yard. The applicants stated they would not be able to. Ms. Walker did state she would like to plant new trees and possibly contribute to the Tree Bank. Vice Chairman Werner motioned, seconded by Commissioner Drake to conditionally approve the proposal submitted upon submission of a landscaping plan that incorporates the number of trees that may not conform to the two for one but would include a contribution to the Tree Bank Chairman Ator – Yes Commissioner Goldstein – Yes Commissioner Sick - Yes Vice Chairman Werner - Yes Commissioner Drake – Yes 1100 Missouri Avenue Owner Bob Gorgone appeared to propose the removal of six Japanese black pine trees in his yard. He stated that two of the trees had storm damage and would like to remove the additional four trees. These trees are in the backyard and are not visible from the street. He stated that the trees do grow rapidly and have caused damage. Chairman Ator stated that he would like Commissioner York to weight in at the next meeting, as it was her district. Vice Chairman Werner motioned, seconded by Commissioner Drake to remove the two storm damaged trees in the center and table the application to the June meeting Chairman Ator – Yes Commissioner Goldstein – Yes Commissioner Sick - Yes Vice Chairman Werner - Yes Commissioner Drake – Yes 1221 Vermont Avenue Chairman Ator stated he looked at this tree and recommended approval and a refund of the $75 fee as the tree was damaged in the storm. Vice Chairman Werner motioned, seconded by Commissioner Drake to the tree to be taken down without the permit fee and refund the cost of $75.00 Chairman Ator – Yes Commissioner Goldstein – Yes Commissioner Sick - Yes Vice Chairman Werner - Yes Commissioner Drake – Yes 1301 Maryland Avenue Vice Chairman Werner stated that the applicant would like to take down all the trees. The application stated that the honey locust tree was dead, but it is vibrant looking. Vice Chairman Werner recommended denying the removal and recommend that the vines be removed. Vice Chairman Werner motioned, seconded by Commissioner Drake to deny the removal of the four trees and recommended the removal of ivy that are covering the trees. Chairman Ator – Yes Commissioner Goldstein – Yes Commissioner Sick - Yes Vice Chairman Werner - Yes Commissioner Drake – Yes 659 Lafayette Street Commissioner Sick stated that there was going to be construction at the home and the trees are going to be severely compromised. The only issue she had was that there was not a landscape plan for the property with what is being planted. Commissioner Sick motioned, seconded by Commissioner Drake to approve the removal of the trees pending a landscape plan that will tell what the new trees and their species will be. Chairman Ator – Yes Commissioner Goldstein – Yes Commissioner Sick - Yes Vice Chairman Werner - Yes Commissioner Drake – Yes 830 Washington Street Chairman Ator said that he visited this property. It was a multi-trunk holly tree in the front where the building is going to be demolished, a silver maple, and a mulberry tree in the corner. It would be in the way of the demolition. Vice Chairman Werner motioned, seconded by Commissioner Drake to approve the removal of the trees pending a submission of a landscaping plan with the types of trees Chairman Ator – Yes Commissioner Goldstein – Yes Commissioner Sick - Yes Vice Chairman Werner - Yes Commissioner Drake – Yes 504 Jefferson Street Chairman Ator stated that this was a silver maple in the rear yard that has been pruned. It was his opinion that he does not believe the tree is in imminent danger of falling. Vice Chairman Werner motioned, seconded by Commissioner Drake to deny the application pending further information Chairman Ator – Yes Commissioner Goldstein – Yes Commissioner Sick - Yes Vice Chairman Werner - Yes Commissioner Drake – Yes New Business Discussion was had about the Open House event being held by the City on May 20th at the Convention Center from 5 until 7pm. It was also discussed to have better communication with the residents of the City about the Shade Tree Commission and the rules. Commissioner Sick motioned, seconded by Commissioner Drake to adjourn. All in favor. Respectfully submitted, Lauren Emerick Cape May City Shade Tree Commission Secretary