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City Presents Tree‑Canopy Update; Council Asks Staff for Baseline Data and Goal Options
Summary
City staff presented preliminary canopy mapping based on 2017–2023 aerials and discussed options for setting a canopy coverage goal; councilmembers asked staff to return with detailed percentages and scenarios for targets and tools to protect and expand the canopy.
Kent planners on June 3 briefed the council on an update to the city’s tree‑canopy assessment and options for code, incentive and program responses to preserve and grow tree canopy.
Planner Lindsay Walker said the city’s current published canopy assessment is based on 2017 imagery and reported a 28 percent canopy coverage citywide with 48 percent of that coverage located in low‑density residential areas. Walker said King County is producing updated canopy maps from 2023 aerials and that preliminary mapping suggests some areas of increase and some loss, but that staff will have percentage figures and a full report in the coming weeks.
Walker reviewed King County’s four‑level assessment of private residential tree regulations, noting Kent currently ranks at a “moderate” (level 3) regulatory approach and that several neighboring jurisdictions have published canopy goals. Councilmembers asked staff to return with specific baseline figures, scenarios for setting a canopy percentage goal, potential incentives for residential and commercial property owners and what it would take to reach a “level 4” (comprehensive) set of regulations under the county guidance.
Council discussion stressed that any goal should consider city‑owned planting, incentives for commercial/property retrofits, and realistic planting targets given the number of trees required to move canopy percentages. Staff said they will return with more detailed canopy statistics and policy options.
