To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: ANDREW WINJE, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
MARC WIENER, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
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DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE DIRECTION REGARDING MODIFICATIONS TO THE CITY'S TREE ORDINANCE
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In early 2023, the City Council discussed language for a new tree protection ordinance founded on contemporary municipal practices and the goal of building and preserving the City's urban forest. After significant discussion, the City Council on February 14, 2023, adopted an ordinance that addressed City owned trees, but did not include private property regulations. As part of the approval of the ordinance, the Council asked staff to return at a later date with an item to discuss additional restrictions and incentives that could be enacted to preserve and enhance privately owned trees. This item gives the Council an opportunity to give direction on possible modifications to the City's Tree Ordinance.
BACKGROUND
On January 17, 2023, the City Council provided direction to staff to prepare a Tree Preservation Ordinance that addressed the protection and enhancement of the City-owned trees that make up a portion of the City's urban forest. An ordinance was adopted on February 14, 2023 that became effective on March 16th of that year. The ordinance allowed the City to be designated as a "Tree City USA" by the Arbor Day Foundation, which was recognized by the City Council on June 4, 2024.
At the January 2023 meeting, consensus could not be reached regarding ways to codify and enforce the protection of privately owned trees, especially "heritage trees," which were defined in the proposed code language under consideration. The adopted motion directed staff to create an ordinance limited to City-owned trees and to return to the Council at a later date with a discussion item to facilitate further policy discussion regarding privately-owned trees.
Council recognized that both incentives and restrictions may be...
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