Olivet commission refines draft tree protection ordinance, moves inventory and protection sections toward adoption

The City of Olivet Planning Community Design Commission on Aug. 7 reviewed a proposed ordinance to require tree inventories, set on‑site protection standards during residential construction and establish tree replacement and minimum‑planting requirements. Carlos Trejo, Olivet director of planning and community development, said the draft narrows the scope to three priorities: establishing a uniform arborist inventory, adopting enforceable protection standards inspectors can use, and defining replacement criteria. "We need the arborist report. We need to make sure that the reports come in uniform," Trejo said. The commission discussed technical details of the draft ordinance and asked staff to revise several items before returning it for commission action. Key draft provisions discussed included: an arborist report and tree inventory plan for any demolition of single‑family homes, significant additions and accessory structures over 1,200 square feet; inclusion of all trees with a 4‑inch caliper or larger…