University Heights committee agrees draft changes to tree ordinance, debates arborist role and mitigation fees

A joint meeting of the University Heights City Council's Service & Utilities and Building & Housing committees on April 15 focused exclusively on proposed revisions to the city's tree ordinance, including a new Tree Commission, how the city will identify and work with an arborist, requirements for tree replacement or mitigation payments, and rules for notifying residents before tree removals.

Committee members said the draft will be edited to clarify who has administrative authority and to add practical details on staffing and implementation. Council members signaled agreement to several wording changes (for example, replacing the phrase that the council "delegates the authority" with language that "authorizes the City Service Director" to act under the chapter) and asked staff to add a definition for "city arborist" or to require a "certified arborist" so the code remains flexible if the city uses a contracted professional. Council members also agreed the director should "ensure" trimming and removal are carried out rather than literally perform the physical work.

Why it matters: the draft touches both public trees (street and park trees) and the city's role when private properties are redeveloped. The committee debated where the ordinance should bind private owners, how the city should notify residents when a tree is slated for removal, and whether mitigation fees and replacement rules should be imposed as part of permit review. Those choices affect property owners' costs, developer timelines and the city's ability to preserve or grow canopy cover.

Most significant outcomes and next steps

- Definitions and arborist role: Committee members asked staff to add a clear definition of "city arborist," and several members recommended wording that would allow either a contracted or a city-employed certified arborist. The committee agreed to change…