Redondo Beach commission backs subcommittee, urges long-term urban-forest planning

Public Works Director Andy Wingate told the Redondo Beach Public Works & Sustainability Commission on September 25 that the City Council asked staff “to bring back an item by the end of the year discussing strategies and options to increase the city's tree canopy.”

The commission moved and approved a recommendation that staff pursue a strategic approach — including seeking funding for an urban forest master plan, exploring replacement requirements and incentives, and forming a commission subcommittee to provide detailed recommendations to the council. Commissioner Arata called the motion and the roll call showed unanimous support: Commissioner Simpson, Commissioner Bajaj, Commissioner Anderson, Commissioner Nafisi, Commissioner Bealey, Commissioner Sowell and Chair Arata all voted aye.

The recommendation follows a staff presentation that combined inventory data and national guidance. Public Works staff reported the city maintains an inventory of more than 11,300 city-owned trees and that Redondo Beach’s 2022 urban tree canopy was measured at about 8.3 percent — below common municipal targets of 15 to 25 percent. Staff said roughly 75 percent of the city’s land is private property, and that moving the needle on overall canopy requires more private‑property engagement. City Arborist Mark Garlock and Senior Management Analyst Rob Osborne joined the presentation to describe species diversity, age distribution and data limitations.

Why it matters: Commissioners and residents said canopy affects public comfort, heat-island severity and environmental goals. Several residents urged stronger…