[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6660009,"mediaKeyId","2438292-49c3b64835909c5732bec434446a8ed4","parentId",2438292,"title","Planning Commission reviews proposed tree-preservation ordinance updates; staff recommends native-tree protections, heritage-tree criteria and in-lieu fee","audioSeconds",890,"startMs",652000,"endMs",1542000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2438292-49c3b64835909c5732bec434446a8ed4&start=652&end=1542","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2438292-49c3b64835909c5732bec434446a8ed4/thumbnail_652000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6660009/Hayward-City/Alameda-County/California/Planning-Commission-reviews-proposed-tree-preservation-ordinance-updates-staff-recommends-native-tree-protections-heritage-tree-criteria-and-in-lieu-fee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6660009-8c46a84815bd201a1493bdcd679025b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193065&Signature=dk-JUlPPtwgOc9QJ7xTbGxvs9-2pPiDOwZGE68gSf4hK~-ztA-sW~54APY10XP0InKcORmT2oEPBvR8Vl1DLGK0GeNaTiCtln2Y6ERHBVhaCocrzz2bBoyIsGOlJuBaevcegKInZwSSTmtzIlpKDh7XsLVItPdlXtKL-OgiPV--Z4ay2fMN3Do4sHG1s2GpJYzvwAorCxzr0Tj2jifEi6GVO71HMTf1MV0uFTo9bmycw~5tetRlXn0HWR8GY18EkvoG5t0fbDDSn0WLOcNWxvyOOV31a4uV0osmQgbxViz3lKpNj40WSq2zvONkb~cduXlnaMuVGtTozTxYvI4LhlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-28T05:23:12.813Z","article","Planning staff presented a second work session on proposed updates to the Hayward Municipal Code to revise the city's tree preservation ordinance, describing new definitions, mitigation options and implementation steps and asking the commission for input on several policy elements.

Peter Jensen, a landscape architect for the City of Hayward, said the update aligns the ordinance with current best practices, establishes heritage-tree criteria, expands protections for native trees (including rear yards in specific interface areas), and includes an in-lieu fee option to fund off-site planting and maintenance.

Key policy proposals summarized by staff:
- Expand protection for native trees from front yards to include rear yards for qualifying properties along urban-native interfaces; mitigation required when such trees are removed.
- Require a 2:1 replacement ratio for removal of protected native trees using 24-inch box trees as a standard-size replacement for residential mitigation when on-site replacement is feasible.
- Retain the existing appraised-value method for mitigation on development projects, and add an in-lieu fee equal to 125% of the remaining appraised value when applicants do not replace trees on-site. Staff said the additional 25% would cover purchase, planting and maintenance costs and incentivize on-site replacement.
- Add a heritage-tree designation requiring a tree to meet at least two criteria (native/mature size, habitat value, horticultural/historical/cultural significance); removal of heritage trees would be processed through the site-review process with public notice and hearings if appealed.
- Add a sliding fee scale for removal and pruning permits, provide exemptions for dead/dying/hazardous trees (mitigation still required), reduce the tree-removal permit duration from one year to three months with a possible three-month extension, and clarify a penalty for illegal removal at double the permit fee (staff noted the current permit fee is $587).

Staff also described accompanying work: development of landscape guidelines for the Hayward Airport and a citywide tree canopy analysis. As part of outreach, staff said they mailed or emailed over 300 notices inviting stakeholders to review the draft ordinance and attend meetings.

Commissioners and public commenters raised concerns about equity and maintenance costs. Commissioner comments urged that outreach be framed as a positive, citywide tree campaign and asked about assistance for low-income homeowners who might not be able to afford mitigation or maintenance. Staff said the city's in-lieu fee funds have historically amounted to roughly $100,000 a year and that council could choose to use some funds for planting in underserved neighborhoods or for maintenance grants or reimbursements to support protected trees on private property.

Public commenter Bruce King of Friends of San Lorenzo Creek supported native-tree protection and suggested the ordinance may be weaker where the city lacks setback requirements for riparian areas; he described cases in which large riparian trees were removed without effective mitigation in place.

Staff and consultant Dudek representatives said the next steps are a Planning Commission recommendation after further edits, a City Council work session on March 18, preparation of a finalized draft for community review, and return of a final draft to the commission in late spring or early summer 2025 for a recommendation to council. No vote on the ordinance was taken at this meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hayward Planning Commission Meeting February 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Staff presented proposed text amendments to the Hayward Municipal Code to expand protection for native trees (including rear yards), create a heritage-tree designation, require mitigation or a 125% in-lieu fee based on appraised value, and shorten removal-permit durations from one year to three months.","taxTitle","Hayward City, Alameda County, California","taxId",2907,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6660014,"Hayward planning staff presents 2024 general plan annual progress report; report to go to City Council in March and state by April 1",315,113000,428000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2438292-49c3b64835909c5732bec434446a8ed4&start=113&end=428","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2438292-49c3b64835909c5732bec434446a8ed4/thumbnail_113000.jpg","/articles/6660014/Hayward-City/Alameda-County/California/Hayward-planning-staff-presents-2024-general-plan-annual-progress-report-report-to-go-to-City-Council-in-March-and-state-by-April-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6660014-7b7a69a8b71f161df1e3e1be39d8b4ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193065&Signature=HpranlczFe5qc5OlihXEFZm6FQjw-BPvcbymoeKtYrbeWP9xWuz4xBsS1VG-tBzdLGrpm2ZUfw-62uLcAo-pgqyYsjC16eipEzgdZU8rFAqgK3vHX5dIZIwQwPvGLLlBNGqTWuJokoJiPG03UnBWLnmHcWl~IJdmp8CvIK8J0Mz4H~mQVOBCUUtuZqNSfdz9qpF3OoBpgyLEJXNT~YBnWODEU5CVI6Ih19~2mfuIe-7~U2N6yi2kVOovSWivQ8RtXeNSZxaASAN5Bo9h7N-Lw~Mlmuk5FdtbqoEAOLCTx-FNZ4baDXZ7Rdk7XdWDpL6NCxwyWb-jZz9oEBfOMMYuMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Planning staff presented the City of Hayward's 2024 general plan annual progress report to the Planning Commission and said the report will be forwarded to the City Council in March and submitted to the California Office of Planning and Research and the Department of Housing and Community Development by April 1 in accordance with state law.

The staff presentation said the Hayward 2040 General Plan, adopted in 2014, is organized into elements including land use, mobility, economic development, community safety, natural resources, hazards, education and lifelong learning, health and quality of life, public facilities and services, environmental justice and housing. Staff said updates in 2023 and 2024 'including a 2023 housing element update and 2024 updates to the climate action plan and a new environmental justice element'led to changes in the implementation plan that added dozens of new programs.

Staff reported there are 433 programs across the general plan elements. According to the presentation, roughly 10% of programs are complete, about 50% are partially complete, 24% are ongoing and 35% have not been started. Staff noted many of the programs that show as not started were adopted in the last two years as part of the housing element and climate-action-related updates.

The presentation described efforts to align general plan programs with the City Council's strategic roadmap; staff said about 35% of general plan programs align with the roadmap'which the council updates annually as a 1-to-3-year work plan with measurable metrics.

Planning staff said the city prepared the annual report in consultation with multiple departments'public works, transportation, engineering, utilities, fire, police, library services, housing, code enforcement, maintenance, community services and the city manager'and will return to the commission next February with a 2025 update.

In public comment, Vasco Yorgov, an affordable housing developer with Eden Housing, praised staff for responsiveness and the scale of work required to prepare the report. \"I just want to take a moment to shout out city staff,\" Yorgov said, adding that staff had responded quickly to inquiries about Homekey and other housing matters.

Commissioners asked about timing and format of the council presentation; City Manager Dr. Alvarez said the city has a special City Council meeting planned for a Saturday in March and staff hopes to present the report in a two-part series to the council at that time. No commission vote was taken on the report at the meeting.","Planning staff told the Planning Commission the city has 433 general-plan programs, most recently added programs from 2023–24, and will present the annual progress report to City Council in March before submitting it to the state on April 1.","actionData","errors"]

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Planning Commission reviews proposed tree-preservation ordinance updates; staff recommends native-tree protections, heritage-tree criteria and in-lieu fee

Hayward planning staff presents 2024 general plan annual progress report; report to go to City Council in March and state by April 1