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Sandpoint commission weighs expanded "notable" tree categories; plans manual update
Summary
Commission members debated expanding the single "heritage tree" concept into multiple categories (historical, specimen, rare, grove) and agreed to research model ordinances and return with recommendations for an Arboriculture Manual update tied to the Urban Forestry Master Plan.
The Sandpoint Urban Forestry Commission spent an extended portion of its March 27 meeting discussing how to define and categorize heritage or notable trees in city policy and the Arboriculture Manual.
Commission Chair Moe Dunkel and Vice Chair Chase Youngdahl both said the commission lacks a robust local definition. Dunkel noted the city's comprehensive plan contains a two-sentence heritage-tree definition that commissioners wanted to “beef up,” and Youngdahl raised concerns that the single term "heritage" could imply only very old or very large trees qualify.
Preston Andrews reported he located model code language used by other cities, including Tumwater, Washington, which uses multiple designations such as historical, specimen, rare and significant grove. Andrews suggested the commission consider 3–4 categories rather than six. Commissioners generally favored an umbrella term such as “notable trees” that would contain subcategories (historical, specimen, rare, significant grove) and discussed whether classifications would appear on signage or only in the city's tree inventory.
Kyle Schreiber, the City Council liaison, and staff referenced city zoning code Chapter 7-15-13, which authorizes the tree committee to designate heritage or historical trees in coordination with the Historic Preservation Committee and ties decisions to criteria in the Arboriculture Manual and the comprehensive plan. Staff reminded the commission that any ordinance changes would ultimately require Council action.
Commissioners agreed to gather model definitions, post reference documents on the commission portal and revisit the topic next month. They discussed whether the Arboriculture Manual should be updated as an addendum to the Urban Forestry Master Plan or consolidated into a single document; staff emphasized the Arboriculture Manual was adopted in 2002 and requires updates to align with modern best practices.
Ending: Staff and commissioners will compile model definitions and return to the commission next month with suggested classifications and sample code language for inclusion in the Arboriculture Manual and possible ordinance updates.
