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Tree and landscaping subcommittee circulates draft zoning revisions; commission asks for packet posting
Summary
A Planning and Zoning subcommittee presented a draft revision to Chapter 14 (zoning) that expands canopy protection, tree lists and landscape guidance; commissioners asked staff to post the draft so commissioners and the public can review in color before the next meeting.
The Planning and Zoning Commission’s tree and landscaping subcommittee presented a draft package of proposed changes to Chapter 14 (zoning) on Aug. 14 and asked the full commission to review the draft before returning it for formal consideration.
Subcommittee members said the draft updates definitions, broadens the list of protected and recommended tree species, incorporates wildfire-resilient landscaping guidance and suggests clearer language for fees in lieu of tree preservation. The draft also includes suggested updates to lighting guidance that relate to dark-sky principles.
Commissioners said portions of the draft appeared in the meeting packet only as a grayscale or non-posted attachment and asked staff to circulate the color-coded draft to the full commission so members can see suggested edits and origin (the subcommittee used color coding to indicate text proposed by different contributors). The chair agreed to place the item on a future agenda after staff posts the draft on the city website and distributes copies to commissioners.
Why it matters: Changes to tree and landscape rules can affect development requirements, street and lot design, and how applicants mitigate tree removal. Commissioners said they want time to vet language and rate schedules for mitigation payments before any ordinance change is recommended to council.
Direction: Staff was asked to post the draft zoning exhibit (Chapter 14, Exhibit A) in the packet and on the city website so commissioners and the public have time to review. The subcommittee agreed to provide an annotated list of the recommended changes if that format is easier for reviewers.
Quotes: Subcommittee members summarized their work as “preserve the canopy” and expand the tree lists and protections. One commissioner said, “I’d rather have just a final product,” asking for a cleaner, final ordinance draft once the subcommittee finishes edits.
Next steps: Staff will circulate the color-coded draft and a summary of subcommittee recommendations; the commission will schedule a future agenda item for formal review and possible referral to council.
