Lake Forest Park staff propose narrower 'exceptional tree' code, add permit flexibilities and risk criteria

Lake Forest Park planning staff presented a focused update to the city’s exceptional tree code during the Tree Board meeting, proposing changes to which trees qualify as “exceptional,” how arborists evaluate risk, and what relief the city may grant to allow development while protecting trees.

The proposed changes narrow the code update’s scope to the exceptional tree rules and the formal tree list, and are intended to make arborist reports easier to apply and speed permit review, the presenter said. Staff also plans to file a non‑project SEPA checklist as the next procedural step before bringing the ordinance to council.

Why it matters: The revision would change size thresholds used to label a tree “exceptional” for several species (for example, a proposal discussed would lower the bigleaf maple threshold from 42 inches to 30 inches DBH in the draft table staff circulated). Staff said the change is meant to increase the number of trees that receive protection and to align thresholds with local tree-size distributions, species characteristics and evolving climate conditions.

Key elements of the draft - Definitions and thresholds: The update revises the exceptional‑tree definition and the city’s species list; staff proposes the tree list be reviewed periodically (staff used “annually” in draft language) rather than…