Saint Paul Council delays final adoption of tree preservation ordinance; staff to return Dec. 10

The Saint Paul City Council on Aug. 29 laid over final adoption of ordinance 2054, which would add a chapter titled “Tree Preservation” to Title 4 of the Administrative Code for city-sponsored projects, to Dec. 10. Councilmembers heard staff updates on a multi-month drafting process and remarks from a public input group that has reviewed draft policy elements.

City staff described ongoing work to balance tree canopy preservation with project impacts, including sidewalk and other infrastructure repairs. Director Kershaw said staff are developing components such as tree surveys, preservation plans, replacement and mitigation rules, and construction protections, and emphasized the need to “follow the right procedures, best practices” during construction to preserve trees. Director Rodriguez echoed the complexity of the task and said the ordinance work…