HomeMy WebLinkAboutTree Ordinance Planning Commission Study Session PresentationTREE PROTECTION ORDINANCE
Planning Commission
April Study Session
24 April 2024
BACKGROUND
•Implementation item/goal from the 2016 Sustainability
Master Plan (Urban Forest + Natural Systems)
•Adopt a Tree Protection Ordinance
•Become a Tree City USA community 2020
•Continually replace urban tree that have been removed or
died….
•State Water Resources Control Board: Making
Conservation a Way of Life
•Tree City recognitions and programs promoting "climate-ready
landscapes" will have flexibility in managing the allocation of
water for landscaping under the new state water regulations.
MAIN GOALS
Limit the removal of
trees
Prohibit and
discourage certain
practices
Establish a class of
protected trees
Establish a removal
and replacement
process
SCOPE
•Parks
•Public properties
•Medians and parkways
Public Trees:
•Commercial properties
•Multifamily
•HOAs
•Public rights-of-way
Private Trees:
PROHIBITED
•Harmful behaviors and practices that could
lead to the death and deterioration of a tree:
•Tree Topping
•Excessive Pruning
•Girdling
•Poisoning
•Unauthorized removal of trees
•Tree stumps
PROTECTION
•Trees with heritage or cultural significances or "Specimen Trees"
•Trees with a trunk diameter of at least twelve (12) inches or greater.
•Any tree designated for protection during review and approval of a development
project.
Establish a class of protected trees
•Requiring a tree protection zones during construction, to protect the critical root
zone.
Tree protection during development
•During the land development and permitting process.
•For the removal of a tree.
Requiring an arborist report & appraisal
REPLACEMENT
Requirement replacement of trees for each removal
Formula 2:1, two trees replace for every one tree removed
*Possible 3:1 ratio for trees with major significance*
Establishes an authorization process for the removal of trees
CITY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITY
Public Works
Authority over public trees.
Responsible for the care,
maintenance, removal, and
replacement public trees (Parks,
Medians, Public Properties)
Planning
Authority over trees on privately
owned properties with approved
landscape plans.
Enforcing and approving the
removal and replacement of trees
on privately owned properties
with approved landscape plans.
Code Enforcement
Enforcing ordinance violations
such as tree topping, excessive
pruning, and unauthorized
removal.
*Enforcing trees deemed to be a
public nuisance.
*This section exist to an extent in our current municipal code
NEXT STEPS
City Attorney
Final Draft
Review w/ City
Departments
Sustainability
Commission City Council
THE END
Questions Comments Thoughts