Commission hears update on forest master plan, tree removals and residents press for bird-safe timing and clearer fines

City staff told the Forest and Beach Commission that a revised draft of the urban forest master plan is in preparation and that the commission should expect a public steering‑committee workshop in mid-June to collect broader public input ahead of CEQA review.

"Our goal is to have that, you know, wrapped up in the next week or two so that it can be just available for people to see so that there's plenty of time for the public to review it and bring in comments to that workshop," a staff member said of the draft. Staff said the draft will be made available to the steering committee several weeks before the workshop.

Commissioners and members of the public raised multiple related concerns. Several residents urged the city to avoid nonemergency tree and vegetation removals during the March–August nesting season. "I'm asking if you might consider suspending all nonemergency removal of trees that are under the stewardship of the city between March and August, the most active time for nesting birds," Mary Kenny told the commission.

Staff replied that the city coordinates with biologists and contractors to comply with bird-protection laws and that Denise Duffy & Associates and other consultants conduct surveys where required. Staff said some recent removals have followed biologist guidance and that the city had contracted monitoring to comply with bird-protection requirements.

Commissioners asked for clearer timeline tracking for projects across departments and a definition of condition categories used in the tree inventory (excellent, good, fair, poor, very poor, dead). Staff agreed to provide the inventory definitions and to meet with commissioners to coordinate project tracking. The commission also directed staff to compile examples of tree fines and enforcement approaches used by peer cities; commissioners said they would consider recommending code changes to city council if needed.

Other operational details noted in the report: public-works and tree crews have removed 223 stumps and more than 180 dead, dying or very poor trees in the current fiscal year; crews performed pruning, stump grinding and safety-related removals; and the city reclaimed Tree City USA status. Staff also reported ongoing invasive-plant removal efforts at North Dunes and coordination with volunteers led by Joey Koneppa.

Why it matters: The forest master plan and tree-work program guide management of Carmel-by-the-Sea's public trees and natural areas, affect private-property decisions, and intersect with state and federal requirements for environmental review and bird protections. Commissioners said clearer public communication, project timelines and a review of fines would help community understanding and compliance.

What happens next: Staff will circulate the revised draft to the steering committee before the mid‑June workshop, provide definitions used in the tree inventory, meet with commissioners to discuss project tracking, and prepare an agenda item with examples of peer-city fines and possible recommendations for council review.