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Sustainability Commission approves letter urging city action on private‑land tree preservation; vote splits
Summary
After reviewing the draft urban forestry management plan and discussing the limits of public‑land measures, the Sustainability Commission approved a letter recommending the city explore additional ways to support urban forestry on private and public lands; vote recorded 7‑yes, 3‑no and 1 abstention.
The Sustainability Commission voted to send a letter to City Council supporting the urban forestry management plan and recommending further exploration of ways the city might support tree preservation on private as well as public land.
Lede: Commissioners said they support the public plan but raised that meeting testimony and staff comments showed the city cannot meet its tree canopy goals without addressing private property. "We can't really meet this goal unless we include in some way... private property," a commissioner said during the discussion, summarizing concerns raised earlier in staff presentations.
Nut graf: The commission's letter praises the urban forestry management plan while urging council to consider additional tools or incentives for tree preservation on private property. Commissioners cited heritage-tree risks on private lots and suggested the city examine incentives and regulatory options.
During the meeting the group debated wording and the letter's emphasis. One commissioner proposed softening the recommendation language to encourage the city to "continue exploring additional ways to support the urban forest on both public and private lands." Staff confirmed the letter could be sent even if the city's internal process for council review of the staff plan was still being determined.
Vote and procedural details: The motion to approve the letter passed. At the roll call, a commissioner read the count as "7 in support;" three commissioners — John Fisher, Tom Kreider and Courtney Hazel — were recorded as voting no, and Councilor Kaczynski was recorded as abstaining. The letter will be transmitted to council and staff will inform commissioners when and how it appears on the council agenda.
Ending: A commissioner volunteered to testify on the letter at an upcoming council hearing, subject to date availability. Staff said a small phrase in the letter might be changed if the city's attorney determines whether the plan requires formal council approval.
