The Corte Madera Town Climate Action Committee on Jan. 15 reviewed the town’s tree goals, programs and a proposed revision to the committee’s 2025 work‑plan to make tree-related actions more specific.

Staff presented a summary of tree actions currently in the town’s Climate Action Plan and related town programs, noting that many private‑land planting strategies are implemented through existing development standards and the town’s tree ordinance but that there is no ongoing town‑led program to encourage private residents to plant trees.

The presentation said the Climate Action Plan estimates private tree actions would yield about 50 net new trees per year and a greenhouse‑gas reduction of roughly 27 metric tons of CO2e over 15 years; public tree plantings were estimated at about 10 net new trees per year and a 5 metric‑ton CO2e reduction over the same period. Staff also said the town’s tracking captures tree removals reported via permits but does not reliably capture all removals or voluntary plantings because many such actions occur without permits or notification to the town.

Staff proposed revising the committee’s broad 2024 work‑plan item on trees so the 2025 item would explicitly: complete and publish a revised recommended street‑tree list for Corte Madera with guidance (including PG&E clearances and fire‑smart spacing considerations); initiate a tree‑assessment contract to improve maintenance of town‑owned trees; and explore opportunities to plant and replant trees on town property, including parks where trees were removed for safety reasons.

Committee members pressed staff on several practical issues. Questions included whether PG&E’s utility‑line planting guidance would be formally incorporated into public planting decisions (staff said it would be included with the street‑tree list) and whether sidewalk alternatives that tolerate roots — described by a member as “flexible sidewalks” made of linked grid blocks or recycled‑rubber pavers — had been considered; staff said they would forward those ideas to Public Works for review. Members also asked whether the planning commission had previewed the work plan; staff replied the commission had an opportunity to review the overall work plan but that the tree items had not been separately docketed with a Community Development‑led hearing.

Public safety and fire risk featured in the discussion. Committee members relayed Central Marin Fire recommendations about reducing ladder fuels and ensuring clear roadways for fire trucks; staff said those recommendations will be incorporated into tree selection, spacing and maintenance guidance. One committee member raised a concern that increasing canopy without careful species and siting choices could increase fire risk in some areas; other members urged balancing canopy restoration with fire safety and noted the many benefits trees provide, including shade, stormwater retention and air‑quality improvements.

A resident, Dan Kenny, identified in public comment as an architect and city planner, urged the committee to consider the urban‑design benefits of street trees on major arterials and collectors and noted that portions of some arterials have underground power lines, reducing utility‑line conflicts for planting.

Staff said the revised tree work‑plan items will be presented to the Town Council as part of the overall draft 2025 work plan at the town’s upcoming strategic planning workshop. No formal policy changes or votes were taken by the committee at the Jan. 15 meeting; the item was informational and staff sought committee feedback before forwarding the revised wording to council.

The committee asked staff to follow up with Public Works and Central Marin Fire about maintenance, spacing and sidewalk‑treatment options and to clarify which tree‑related rules apply to existing trees (for example, lower‑limb removal recommendations within 30 feet of structures), since some members raised concerns about perceived inconsistencies between posted fire‑safety signage and existing plantings near town facilities.

Several members suggested the town consider an outreach program to encourage appropriate private planting (staff noted past free street‑tree programs led by the Beautification Committee have been on hiatus during droughts), and to publish the completed street‑tree list with resources for homeowners.

Ending: Staff will finalize the revised wording for the tree item, incorporate Central Marin Fire guidance, and include the three specific actions (street‑tree list, town tree assessment contract, explore public‑space plantings) when the work plan is presented to council at the strategic planning workshop.