Edmonds council agrees to place interim landmark-tree ordinance on April 21 agenda after days of public comment

Councilmember Payne introduced a draft interim ordinance on April 8 that would pause removal of privately owned “landmark” trees for one year while the city completes code updates. The pause would apply to trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of 30 inches or greater and would not change existing processes for hazard, nuisance or vested permits, Payne said.

The measure follows more than two hours of public comment highlighting the community response to the recent removal of a large redwood known as Big Red. Residents called for a temporary halt so the council and staff can refine the tree code, improve public notice and coordinate the work with the city’s urban forestry and climate goals.

“Allowing this year-long pause will help the planning and development department conduct the needed code reviews, community outreach and planning-board review,” Councilmember Payne said. Payne described the draft as a focused, temporary measure to preserve large trees while a permanent code is developed.

Speakers at the podium urged action. Nora Carlson of Westgate told the council that landmark trees and the city’s canopy are “vital for the health of our environment,” and asked the council to revisit an interim ordinance used in 2021 to protect landmark trees. Georgina Armstrong said residents had only learned days earlier about possible changes that could affect prized parks and treasured trees; she urged more timely public notice. Gayla Shumake and other callers repeated requests for a temporary pause while staff finish a permanent code.

Council discussion ranged from support for swift interim protections to concerns about timing and a desire for broader, coordinated policy work. Councilmember Dasch and others recommended linking code updates with broader planning documents such as the comp plan and the city’s urban-forest and climate plans to reduce duplication and legal risk. Councilmember Olsen and others said they wanted adequate public outreach and time to review a final draft.

After discussion about placement on a future agenda, Councilmember Nann moved to place the interim ordinance on the council’s April 21 agenda. Councilmember Olsen proposed an amendment to place the item on the regular agenda instead of the consent agenda so it could be discussed and amended if needed; that amendment passed. The main motion, as amended, passed 6–1.

The ordinance as drafted would: - Pause the removal of private trees meeting or exceeding 30 inches DBH for 12 months; - Exempt hazard trees, nuisance trees and trees covered by existing vested permits; and - Direct staff to develop a work plan that aligns tree protections with other city planning initiatives and the city’s urban forest management and climate action goals.

Councilmembers and planning staff said the one-year interval is intended to create time for outreach, drafting of permanent code language, and legal review. City staff and the Planning Board are expected to prepare a draft permanent ordinance during that period and return it to council for consideration.

What’s next: The interim ordinance will appear on the regular council agenda on April 21 for final consideration. If adopted as an interim ordinance at that meeting, the pause would take effect per the ordinance’s effective-date language and remain in place while the city develops a permanent code.

Votes at a glance (items recorded during the April 8 meeting): - Motion to approve the meeting agenda (April 8): approved unanimously. (roll call noted all members present.) - Consent agenda approval: approved unanimously. - Motion to extend the meeting to 9:45 p.m.: approved. - Motion to place the interim ordinance to prohibit removal of certain landmark trees on the council agenda (main motion as amended): approved 6–1.

Community context: The discussion was driven by public concern about a permit process that allowed the removal of a large, century-old redwood. Speakers repeatedly tied tree protection to climate, stormwater management and neighborhood character, and urged clearer notice before decisions affecting private property and parks.

Councilmember Payne said the pause is not intended to replace a permanent code but to buy time for careful drafting and public outreach.

Ending: If the council adopts an interim ordinance on April 21, staff said they will use the year to complete code drafting, consult with the Planning Board and Tree Board, and return with a proposed permanent ordinance and a recommended public-notice and implementation plan.