Sandpoint forestry panel begins work to define "heritage tree" after comp‑plan prompt

The Sandpoint Urban Forestry Commission began a multi‑month effort Thursday to draft a definition of "heritage tree" after the topic surfaced during the city's recent comprehensive plan update.

Commission Chair Mose Dunkel opened the discussion during the Jan. 23 meeting; Eric Bush, the city staff liaison and city forester, told the commission the comp plan language encourages "protecting heritage trees and native vegetation" but left the term largely undefined. "A tree or collection of trees that is acknowledged and valued for the exceptional characteristics that set it apart from others," Bush read from the plan as an initial working phrase.

The commission said a local definition is needed so the label cannot be used in ways that produce unintended consequences. Bush cited guidance from the International Society of Arboriculture, warning that narrowly protecting only old, individual trees can harm the long‑term health of a community forest if younger trees are routinely removed.

Why it matters: defining the term affects how the city responds to development requests, permit reviews and potential code changes. Commissioners said they heard public input during the comp‑plan hearings asking for more flexibility to preserve trees while allowing infill development — for example asking whether property setbacks or driveway lengths could be adjusted to save a tree on private property.

Discussion highlights and next steps

- The commission discussed two broad approaches: a tighter, objective definition that would identify which trees merit designation and a broader, flexible definition that would give staff and officials more discretion. Members emphasized tradeoffs, including the risk that homeowners could preserve a single "heritage" tree while removing many younger trees that keep the urban canopy sustainable.

- Commissioners proposed creating multiple categories (mature, veteran, ancient, champion, heritage, notable) rather than a single, catchall designation so protections or incentives could be tailored to each class.

- Eric Bush recommended coordinating any definition with the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Historic Preservation Officer because designations could feed into development permits or property setbacks. He said the existing municipal code contains a reference (Ordinance 71513) that allows a designation process but does not define criteria.

- The commission asked staff to circulate sample definitions and relevant ordinances from other cities; members volunteered to research models and suggested inviting Heather Upton, the city's historic preservation officer, for a future meeting. The commission asked staff to check whether a shared file area could be used to circulate documents and agreed to place this item on the next meeting agenda for further review.

What the record shows and what it does not

The transcript shows the commission set a process: collect alternative definitions, consult the historic preservation officer, and bring a working definition back to the commission for refinement. The commission did not adopt any formal definition at this meeting and did not vote on new ordinance language. It did not commit to specific incentives or changes to building setbacks; members said any change to zoning or building code would require coordinated review with Planning and Zoning and City Council.

Ending

Commissioners asked staff to distribute examples and said they expect to return to the topic at an upcoming meeting after members have time to review draft definitions and related ordinances.