Green Worcester committee agrees to study code options to preserve large trees

The Green Worcester advisory committee voted May 12 to place an item on a future agenda to identify what would be required to create a city code or ordinance that preserves large, existing trees.

The motion was prompted by a public comment from Paul, a resident, who argued the city should avoid clear-cutting and “work around, large existing trees” because of the carbon-removal and other benefits trees provide. Paul cited examples in Providence and Cambridge and asked the committee whether a zoning or code change would be needed.

“Developers will, have a plot of land… they will locate their buildings not in the center. They won't clear cut it before they start construction,” Paul said. He asked whether the committee “would be willing to pursue” a code or zoning change to preserve trees.

Committee members discussed next steps and whether the committee or city staff should gather background material. The committee agreed the item should be reviewed internally by the committee first and that staff would check with relevant city departments, including planning and the city forester, about existing guidance and any current regulations.

John (city staff) said the department could “look into what the city has, if anything, on the books, either through our planning department or, our forestry team, and report back as part of our side of this.” Committee members agreed that researching examples from other cities (Providence, Cambridge) and speaking to local forestry staff would inform any recommendation to the full committee or the city.

The committee’s formal direction was to add the preservation-of-large-trees item to a future agenda and to research local precedents and potential ordinance/code language. No ordinance or code language was drafted or adopted at the meeting; the action was a vote to investigate and report back.