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Buellton council reviews tree policies, adopts tree ordinance in first reading
Summary
After a staff "deep dive" showing tree rules are scattered across five documents, Buellton council directed staff to centralize guidance and introduced Ordinance 25-07 to codify a tree and landscape advisory board, planting standards and nuisance-removal powers for public safety.
Planning Director Andrea Kiefer told the Buellton City Council on Nov. 13 that tree policy is scattered across five separate documents — the approved tree planting list, the 2025 General Plan, the Avenue of the Flags specific plan, the municipal code (including the native tree protection ordinance) and the community design guidelines — and that only oak, sycamore and cottonwood trees are currently covered by the native-protection rules.
Council members pressed staff on enforcement and clarity. Council Member Hornick asked whether the guidelines could be centralized and whether the city should consider mandatory canopy coverage for parking lots. Kiefer said the approved planting list is posted on the planning department page of the city website and that the landscape rebate program evolved from a county grant…
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