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Residents urge stronger urban‑tree rules and maintenance as council hears public comment
Summary
Public commenters and city staff discussed Monrovia’s urban tree canopy, with speakers urging updates to tree ordinances, more emphasis on maintaining existing trees in developed areas, and consideration of fire‑prone species. City staff noted an existing 2020 street‑tree ordinance and annual planting efforts.
Residents and city staff discussed Monrovia’s urban tree canopy during public comment and the city manager’s report at the May 20 Monrovia City Council meeting.
Public commenter Jennifer McDonald urged changes to local tree care and canopy policy, saying the city should focus on shade in developed areas rather than counting undeveloped preserve acreage. “If we just let those trees grow… the difference in temperature when you’re standing underneath the tree out of the sun is, like, 20 degrees,” McDonald said.
The comment was echoed by another speaker, identified only as Karen, who urged more native planting and clearer guidance on fire‑prone species. Karen noted that some trees commonly planted in Monrovia — including certain nonnative species — require more water or are more fire hazardous, and recommended updating the city’s street‑tree and oak‑tree preservation guidance to address both canopy and fire risk.
Dylan, a city staff member who responded during the manager’s report, said Monrovia currently reports roughly 53% tree coverage when including the wilderness preserve and noted the city plants about 270 trees per year. Dylan also referenced a 2020 update that addressed street trees and said staff would continue reviewing canopy priorities.
Speakers at the meeting and the hosts of a local meeting recap program distinguished between canopy across the whole jurisdiction and canopy in developed, urbanized areas such as shopping center parking lots, where they said shade is limited. Commenters recommended staff training on tree care and more emphasis on preserving existing mature trees rather than frequent heavy trimming that reduces canopy.
Council members and staff framed the discussion as a mix of maintenance, species selection and wildfire risk management rather than a single fix. Council members thanked volunteers and noted existing city efforts, including Tree City USA participation and recent tree‑planting programs.
The council did not take a formal vote on tree policy at the May 20 meeting; the item was raised as public comment and discussed during the city manager’s report and follow‑up remarks.
Monrovia staff said they will continue to refine outreach and tree‑planting plans and to integrate wildfire‑risk considerations into future updates.
