Council advances Forest Resource Pilot Program zoning amendment for wildfire resilience (first reading)

The Flagstaff City Council on June 17 advanced a zoning code text amendment that creates a limited-term Forest Resource Pilot Program intended to integrate wildfire resiliency into resource protection standards. Tiffany Antal, the city’s zoning code manager, presented the ordinance and described the program’s objectives during the public hearing.

Antal said the amendment updates the purpose and goals of the resource protection overlay to prioritize wildfire resilience while also preserving natural resources. Key features of the proposed pilot program include a required agreement between an applicant and the planning director, a minimum digital tree inventory, criteria for preserving high-value trees to the extent feasible, and alignment with the city’s forest management plan. Antal said the program is explicitly time-limited to three years but includes provisions for developments extending beyond the pilot period.

Antal told the council the Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval. Council members welcomed the approach and emphasized coordination with the Fire Department; staff said the pilot will be a joint effort between the Fire Department and Community Development and will test new technologies and management principles.

Council approved a resolution declaring the draft ordinance a public record and then read the city code amendment ordinance by title only for its first reading; the item will return for subsequent readings and final adoption per the city’s ordinance process.