Kingston consultant outlines proposed tree preservation ordinance; public meeting set April 28, commission asked for letter of support

Brent, a consulting forester who presented a draft tree preservation ordinance to the Kingston Conservation Advisory Council, summarized the proposal and asked the council to consider a letter of support ahead of the City Council caucus in early June. The city will hold a public information meeting on the draft at City Hall on Monday, April 28 at 6 p.m.; the draft then could be considered by the Laws & Rules committee at its May 21 meeting and taken to the Common Council caucus on June 2 for possible council action.

The ordinance, a roughly 30‑page draft posted on the city’s urban forestry page, would expand protections beyond the current code (Chapter 373) and create clearer rules for trees during development. "This ordinance increases protections for Kingston's largest trees that are on both public and private property," Brent said during his presentation, describing three core changes: formal valuation of large trees, a clear protection zone for trees during construction, and replacement or reproduction‑cost requirements instead of the existing fine structure.

Nut graf: The proposed ordinance would apply…