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Board orders expedited zoning-ordinance amendments on oak resources, asks staff to pursue interim options
Summary
Facing wildfire and insurance concerns, the Board directed staff to expedite amendments to the county oak-resources ordinance—clarifying exemptions and updating an insurance-related removal pathway—and asked staff to explore interim measures while a comprehensive update is scheduled.
El Dorado County supervisors on Tuesday directed planning staff to accelerate proposed amendments to the county’s Oak Resources Conservation Ordinance and asked staff to explore interim options to help residents meet insurance-driven defensible‑space requirements.
Background: Planning staff presented proposed revisions to Chapter 130.39 to add or clarify exemptions (county projects, defensible‑space/insurance removals, utility and road projects), update definitions and align with state law. The board earlier asked staff to look specifically at exempting live oaks and at streamlining roadside oak-trimming/removal for fire prevention.
Staff analysis and costs: Planning staff said exempting live oaks or creating new, broad exemptions was not covered by prior environmental review and would likely require a new environmental impact report (EIR). Staff estimated roughly $300,000 and about two years to complete an EIR for a live-oak exemption; combining a second exemption (roadside trimming) with live-oak analysis could cost about $400,000 and take two to three years. Staff recommended forwarding the clarified ordinance amendments to the Planning Commission for hearing and handling broader exemptions as part of a future comprehensive update.
Board direction and public input: Supervisors and several public commenters called the oak rules a current emergency because homeowners are losing insurance or being told by insurers to remove trees. Speakers — including fire-safe council representatives and residents who described ember threats in recent wildfires — urged faster temporary relief. The board directed staff not only to expedite the ordinance amendments to Chapter 130.39 for Planning Commission hearing but also to examine potential interim administrative or emergency options that would allow reasonable trimming or removal for fire safety while the longer, comprehensive work proceeds.
Implementation: Staff said it will pursue an accelerated calendar with a Planning Commission special meeting and attempt a Board hearing July 15; staff also requested board authority to pursue an urgency ordinance concurrent with the regular ordinance so new rules could take effect immediately if legally allowable. The board voted to expedite the process.
Next steps: Staff will return with revised ordinance language to the Planning Commission on an accelerated calendar, develop implementation guidance for department staff, and study interim or emergency mechanisms (and CEQA implications) so residents and insurers have clearer, quicker options for defensible‑space compliance.
