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Littleton plans tougher tree‑mitigation fees, tighter inventory rules for new developments
Summary
Planners proposed a rework of tree‑mitigation rules that replaces a flat per‑tree fee with a diameter‑based fee, increases inventory and mitigation triggers for new developments and establishes a dedicated tree fund.
Staff presented proposed amendments to the city’s tree preservation requirements that would implement the Forestry Master Plan by tightening mitigation, inventory and replacement rules for new development. Under the current code the mitigation fee is a flat amount per tree; staff proposed a graduated fee tied to tree diameter so larger trees (by trunk inches) would carry larger mitigation costs and direct mitigation funds to an urban‑forest account.
Planning staff said the change would require licensed arborist inventories as part of development applications, require mitigation for more trees (by lowering the diameter threshold for mitigation) and create a dedicated tree fund to pay for canopy restoration and planting in public spaces. Staff emphasized the proposal applies to new development reviews and land‑use permits; routine private yard pruning or tree removals on established single‑family lots without a land‑use application would not be affected.
Council members and commissioners asked for stronger incentives to preserve mature trees where feasible and for clearer criteria on when mitigation fees can be reduced in exchange for on‑site preservation. Staff replied that inventories include tree condition assessments and that dead or severely declining trees would not be counted toward mitigation. The city manager and planning staff said the change aligns the ULUC with the previously adopted Forestry Master Plan and puts Littleton in line with neighboring jurisdictions’ practices.
What’s next: staff will draft code language for public redlines that tie mitigation to diameter inches and establish the tree fund and arborist reporting requirements; more detail will be provided to council and Planning Commission before adoption.
