Forest and Beach Commission discusses forest master plan, tougher fines for construction-related tree damage and ad hoc policy workgroups

The Forest and Beach Commission of the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea met to set priorities for the new fiscal year and heard a staff presentation on possible changes to penalties for construction-related tree damage, a topic commissioners said they will address with ad hoc subcommittees.

Commissioners and staff discussed completing the forest master plan, integrating wildfire guidance and community wildfire protection plan (CWPP) considerations into forest policy, and responding to rising homeowner insurance actions and modern construction impacts on trees. Justin (Public Works staff) presented possible models for raising fines, including diameter-based schedules, permit deposits or bonds, and fines tied to property value. Commissioners asked staff for a draft recommendation to take to City Council after further committee work.

The matter matters locally because commissioners said growth in construction and newer building methods are increasing damage to mature trees and complicating protections built into the municipal code. Commissioners flagged the need to align Forest and Beach decisions with the Planning Commission and to clarify roles so applicants and residents get consistent outcomes.

Justin described recent building-application trends and current code limits: building and planning applications increased from 77 (2013) to peaks above 400 (2016), and municipal code section 17.48.015 (b) now lists $250 for a first-tree-damage infraction and $500 for a second, amounts staff called “woefully insufficient” given local property values. Justin said his review found local examples where other California jurisdictions use substantially larger fines or diameter-based schedules; he suggested short-term Council changes to replace the $250/$500 figures…