Draft mature‑tree ordinance posted; public commenter urges stronger post‑construction protections

UFAC members said a draft of the city’s mature‑tree ordinance is posted on the city website and will be heard by the Environmental Commission on Oct. 9; the committee opened the item for public comment and received concerns about inadequate post‑construction protections.

Lori Forsen, a public commenter, said the mature‑tree effort began in 2021 with the goal of preserving significant mature trees and that the current draft is unclear about how replacement trees and protected trees will be preserved after construction. Forsen recommended safeguards that extend protection and monitoring for two to three years after a tree is planted and asked for mechanisms to ensure accountability when replacement trees decline post‑construction.

“Construction stresses trees,” Forsen said. “Trees don't die in a day or a month. Sometimes these large mature trees die after construction ends a year or two later, or the replacement trees die off.” She referred to an included right‑of‑entry permit and to sections of the urban forest manual (section 2.7) as possible mechanisms to extend follow‑up and noted that some other cities require multi‑year protections (she cited Santa Barbara’s three‑year protection for planted oaks as an example). Forsen also told the committee she was “disappointed the bond in the trees was voted down.”

UFAC members and staff said the draft is intended to move to the Environmental Commission on Oct. 9 and that there will be additional opportunities for public comment as the ordinance proceeds through review. The committee made no formal decision or change to the draft at this meeting; the item was presented as informational and will continue through the city’s review process.

Next steps: informational item will go to the Environmental Commission on Oct. 9; UFAC will accept further public comment in subsequent review rounds.