Committee adopts amendments to Portland Urban Forest Plan, directs city to study assuming street‑tree responsibility

Councilor Novick's Climate Resilience and Land Use Committee adopted three amendments to the Portland Urban Forest Plan on Thursday, approving language that directs bureaus to develop plans and financing strategies for a comprehensive citywide street‑tree maintenance program and for how the city could assume legal and financial responsibility for street‑tree–related sidewalk repairs. The committee approved the package and voted to forward the amended resolution to full council, 4–1.

The amendments require that the city fund and implement a comprehensive citywide street‑tree maintenance program, direct staff to identify financing strategies (including new funding sources and cost‑saving measures) to reduce costs to property owners for sidewalks damaged by trees, and narrow a financial assistance provision to qualifying low‑income property owners. The motion to move the resolution (document number 20 25 3 51 as listed in committee) to full council passed with four ayes and one nay; Councilor Novick cast the only no vote.

The changes were proposed by Councilor Kanal and discussed by councilors and bureau staff as the committee considered tradeoffs between equity, long‑term costs, and the source of funds. Councilor Novick said he was concerned the amendment "commit[s] the city to assuming legal and financial responsibility for street trees" and that the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund might be asked to assume ongoing costs he…