Planning staff presented a proposed text amendment to the City of Forest Park's tree-protection code that would add a tree bank ordinance enabling developers to offset required tree removal by contributing trees or funds to a city-managed tree bank.

Staff said the tree bank is intended for large-scale developments that must remove a substantial number of trees; developers could either donate nursery-ready trees or pay a fee calculated under the ordinance. Funds and donated trees would be used to plant and maintain trees on public property, improving tree cover, air quality and stormwater management. The Planning Commission voted to approve the amendment on Dec. 19, 2024.

Council members asked about maintenance and whether the city would have an arborist on call; staff said the city plans to incorporate landscaping services into a soil and erosion RFP and expects to rely on a landscaper and, if needed, a part-time arborist to oversee tree planting and maintenance for the tree bank. Staff said the ordinance would not apply to routine residential tree maintenance on private property but would apply to large development projects regulated by the ordinance.

No final council vote adopting the tree bank ordinance was recorded at the work session; the item was presented for council consideration and will proceed through the ordinance adoption process if the council chooses to move forward.