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- On The Record: New Law Doesn't Dissuade Tree Cutting
On The Record: New Law Doesn't Dissuade Tree Cutting
The city's tree canopy is being toppled at record numbers
Good morning subscribers. ☕This is your Wednesday, Oct. 15, Rye Record newsletter, curating some of the latest headlines across the city of Rye.
Today’s Weather Channel local forecast calls for partly cloudy skies and a high of 64 degrees ⛅ Check out the forecast for the rest of the week here.
Timber! In the two years since passage of stricter tree-removal regulations in Rye, residents and developers have actually been cutting down an increasing number of trees.
A review of city Planning Department records shows that since the June 2023 City Council approval of the new law “aimed at preservation and maintenance of trees and wooded lands,” 800 trees have been removed — 145 in 2023, 271 in 2024, and 384 over the first nine months of 2025.
Over that same period, the Planning Commission has ordered those who are building or expanding homes to plant 166 new “replacement” trees.
The new law also has kept the Building Department, which must approve any tree removal permit, busy. Inspectors have had to inspect hundreds of residential yards to authorize the removal of any tree, alive or dead.
Property owners are allowed to remove some trees by right each year, how many being determined by the size of the property and the size of the trees.
The range is from three trees on lots of 10,000 square feet to 36 trees on lots of 10 acres.
By law, property owners are required to replace healthy trees they cut down, though tree planting does not require a permit and inspections are not conducted to be sure replacements have been planted.
To read Howard Husock’s full report, click here.
Nearly 400 trees have been cut down in the city of Rye already this year.
-Today’s newsletter is curated by Christian Falcone
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INSTAGRAM POST OF THE WEEK 📸
-Fall is in the air!
IN OTHER NEWS
A creperie. Take a deep breath upon entering 3 Purdy Ave. and you might imagine you’ve been transported to a French café by the aroma of sizzling buckwheat crepes stuffed with ham and cheese and freshly brewed espresso. -David Hessekiel
Hot potato. With a pivotal City Council race now in full swing, all six candidates are honing in on the issue of development, one of the biggest campaign issues on the city’s November ballot. Both Republican and Democratic candidates alike say they want to guide development through long-term planning and robust community input, pushing back in particular on an anonymous planning group. -Rosie Newmark & Camille Botello
Taking off. County officials are ready to redesign Westchester airport, having selected 11 companies to submit their best proposals to modernize the antiquated terminal. Whichever proposal the county chooses will likely have between a $100 million-$150 million price tag. -Camille Botello
AROUND TOWN
-Rye police arrested Michael O’Connell, 42, on Saturday evening for allegedly punching his girlfriend repeatedly during a domestic dispute. -Camille Botello
-Have you seen political campaign signs around? Political rivals Bill Henderson and Josh Nathan agreed against using lawn signs during their high-stakes mayoral campaign — but they forgot to give independent candidate Rick McCabe the memo. -Rosie Newmark
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FROM OUR PARTNERS
CITY
Over the last 18 months, Rye police has dealt with a spate of public urination complaints and one publication defamation incident.
Rye police may soon be able to issue tickets instead of making arrests for public urination and defecation, after the City Council unanimously approved a move to hold a public hearing on the proposed change.
Last Thanksgiving eve, a night where young people traditionally gather to drink at various city establishments, the department issued three tickets for public urination offenses, as well as multiple warnings.
The department is advocating for this measure in preparation for pre-Thanksgiving festivities next month, Kopy said.
-by Rosie Newmark
Philadelphia’s Charlotte Morris is one of the many singer-songwriters performing in the Sound Shore Songwriter Series.
COMMUNITY
Rye-based singer-songwriter Paul Jensen is bringing a touch of Nashville to Rye with the launch of the Sound Shore Songwriter Series, a new live showcase dedicated to original music and the art of storytelling through song.
The first event takes place Tuesday, Oct. 15, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Rye Arts Center, featuring four singer-songwriters: Drew Angus, Charlotte Morris, Paul Guzzone, and Jensen himself. Modeled after Nashville’s famous Bluebird Café, the evening will follow a “writers’ round” format — an intimate, conversational performance in which each artist takes a turn performing their own songs and sharing the inspiration behind them.
-by Laura Schiller
COMMUNITY
The community joined in the Watershed Literary Festival. (Photo Joy Malone)
Natascha Feenstra, a small business lawyer who has lived in town for 23 years, joined a writing workshop that focused on character and scene development as part of the town’s Watershed Literary Festival.
“I haven’t done creative writing since high school in the ’80s,” she laughed. “But the exercises really brought out some creative juices.”
Feenstra was just one of the many participants of the Third Watershed Literary Festival, an event that brings together authors and readers for a writing-steeped weekend of more than 20 workshops and panel discussions featuring 30 authors.
-by Laura Schiller & Alaire Kanes
Senior Sebastian Lewis caught two touchdowns and tipped a ball on defense that led to an interception. (Photo MQS Media)
SPORTS
Rye rebounded from a slow start and its first double-digit deficit of the season to rout Eastchester on Friday night. After trailing by 10 early on, the Garnets used a sudden, improbable series of events to storm ahead for a 48-23 road win, their fourth 40-point output this season.
The win was Rye’s 10th straight against Eastchester. It’s the first time since 2015 the Garnets started 6-0 in back-to-back seasons and the first time since 2016 they scored 40-plus points in three straight games.
-by Ian Colalucci