Residents urge council to protect mature trees in Norwood development plans

Two residents raised tree‑preservation concerns during the Sept. 8 Tualatin City Council public‑comment period, asking the council to direct staff to enforce city tree‑protection standards for a Norwood Road housing project.

In a prepared statement, a resident identified as Mr. O’Neil read an excerpt from a Sept. 5 email by the city’s principal engineer to the Norwood Townhomes developer saying that the next step is submission of full public improvement plans and that ‘‘we will not provide piecemeal reviews outside the context of the full project.’’ The excerpt also referenced a minimum six‑foot planter strip and stated narrower planter strips require written justification on the plans.

Ken Allen, a property owner at 9300 Southwest Norwood Road who said he and Horizon are trying to protect trees while advancing development, told council he wants a clear directive from elected officials so staff will authorize plans that preserve trees. ‘‘I’m pleading with you to give your staff directive on how to do this,’’ Allen said. He asked whether the city manager or community development director will take responsibility for advising staff and urged the council to use whatever steps are needed so the issue is not revisited repeatedly at council meetings.

Council President Pratt responded during public comment that staff and the city manager ‘‘know where we stand about saving trees’’ and that the council has repeatedly said it wants to preserve as many trees as possible. The exchange did not result in a formal council motion or action; Allen requested the council clarify direction to staff so engineering and planning reviews reflect the council’s position.

Why it matters: Speakers said mature trees on the West End of Norwood are at risk under current plan submittal and review practices and requested clearer, enforceable direction to city staff. The matter touches on land‑use conditions tied to development approvals, engineering plan standards and urban canopy protection.

Key technical points cited by speakers: • City engineering staff told the developer the city will not do piecemeal reviews and expects full public improvement plans for the project. • The city’s land‑use condition includes a minimum six‑foot planter strip; narrowing requires justification on the plans to preserve mature trees at specific locations.

No council motion or vote was taken on the topic at this meeting; the matter remained a public comment request for staff or council direction.