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Committee advised tree ordinance changes fall to Planning & Zoning; residents urged to attend hearings
Summary
Committee members and staff clarified that proposed changes to the city’s tree mitigation requirements (Chapter 14 zoning) must be considered by Planning & Zoning, which makes recommendations to council; residents were encouraged to attend forthcoming P&Z meetings and comment on caliper sizes, fees and use of mitigation funds.
Committee members asked whether proposed changes to tree-caliper size and tree mitigation fees were on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee agenda and where the item sits in the process.
A staff member explained the process: because the tree mitigation language is in Chapter 14 of the zoning code, Planning & Zoning (P&Z) must review and make a recommendation to council. "It it hasn't been to PNC yet," a committee member said; staff confirmed the topic had been asked to be picked up by P&Z and that P&Z meets monthly.
Members were advised they may attend the P&Z meeting to provide input on three central questions: caliper size (what trees should be protected), appropriate fees, and the use of mitigation funds. One committee member noted the city is missing out on potential income while the issue remains unresolved.
Committee members encouraged neighbors and interested residents to communicate with P&Z and to watch P&Z agendas for the item. Staff said it would check the P&Z agenda and notify the committee when the item is scheduled.
The committee also discussed the existence of a tree mitigation fund that could be used for parks projects, a point raised earlier in the meeting when members questioned why the parks fund had increased.
No formal action was taken by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee on ordinance language; the committee’s role in this meeting was to clarify process and encourage public participation ahead of P&Z review.
