Tree Board advances updated tree list, exceptional-tree code and seeks $70,000 SFI grant and KCD canopy assessment

The Lake Forest Park Tree Board received an update on proposed changes to the city's recommended tree list and an amendment establishing "exceptional" tree thresholds, and discussed funding and technical assistance options to support a community forest management plan.

Mark, a planning department staff member, reported that legal review of the draft ordinance language was ongoing and that the next procedural steps would likely include SEPA (environmental review) and a Department of Commerce review before the package is noticed and comes to council. Staff recommended submitting the tree-list changes and exceptional-tree code together rather than routing the measure first through the planning commission; Mark said combining them would simplify public notice and review.

Drew Eppany, who led much of the drafting work, said legal staff liked the board's changes and that final ordinance text was being prepared. "Yes, we are still waiting on Kim who was drafting the actual ordinance language," Eppany said. She described the likely process: legal drafting, environmental and commerce review, public notice, and council hearings.

The board discussed funding and technical assistance to support the work. Staff presented a draft scope for a $70,000 Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) grant that would fund work such as an assessment of current urban-forestry practices, optional community engagement and workshops, development of strategic recommendations, a compiled report and, optionally, a citywide inventory of city-owned and right-of-way trees and potential planting sites. "This document I put together, you'd edit it to say what you wanna include," Eppany said when outlining the draft scope.

Board members discussed using some of the city's tree-fund reserves (referenced in the meeting as about $80,000) to supplement the SFI grant if the chosen scope exceeds the grant amount. Staff estimated that completing all of the listed SFI tasks could exceed $70,000 by roughly $20,000 to $30,000 depending on scope; city staff suggested the tree fund could cover a portion of any shortfall.

Separately, staff described a King Conservation District (KCD) canopy assessment offered through KCD. The KCD product can include parcel-level canopy, multi-year change comparisons, park- and right-of-way-specific layers, and custom geographies; Drew said the KCD baseline offering for Lake Forest Park starts at about $4,000, with optional filters or additional outputs priced per item. "If that's the case, the issue that arose over the last few weeks is we have one current KCD project on McAleer Creek... Once that's certain, we'll know what we're dealing with," Mark said about internal prioritization of KCD funds.

Board members expressed support for pursuing both the SFI grant and the KCD canopy assessment. Staff agreed to refine a scope for the SFI proposal, coordinate with the city administrator on use of the KCD funds held in the jurisdictional account, and bring a revised scope and timeline to the next meeting.

Why it matters: The combined work'updating the recommended tree list, establishing exceptional-tree protections, and creating a community forest plan backed by mapping and a strategic assessment'would guide planting priorities, protection thresholds and future maintenance for the city's urban canopy.

Proposed next steps (as discussed): complete legal drafting of the ordinance; run SEPA and (expedited) Commerce review; present the combined package to council for hearings; accept SFI grant and, if necessary, authorize tree-fund supplementation; execute KCD canopy assessment and/or a consultant contract for the SFI scope.