Council refers proposed tree‑ordinance moratorium to study session after unanimous concern
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Summary
A council member sought an immediate moratorium on new tree‑removal permits and a revised tree ordinance; the mayor and chair said the request will be discussed at a study session scheduled for Dec. 9 to develop specific amendments and possible enforcement steps.
Council members on Nov. 25 agreed to move debate over a proposed overhaul of the city’s tree ordinance to a study session rather than enact an immediate moratorium.
A councilmember said they had submitted a resolution calling for “an immediate moratorium on any new permits given out” to stop widespread tree removals while the ordinance is reviewed. The chair and Mayor Baidoun said they had already asked the Department of Public Works director to prepare a report and that the council would take the proposal up at a study session on Dec. 9.
Supporters of revising the ordinance said the current code has defects that have allowed removal of healthy trees without timely replacement, and they urged stronger penalties and clearer replacement requirements. The mayor and other members cautioned that an across‑the‑board stop on permits could adversely affect homeowners with legitimate safety or health reasons for removals and said staff would recommend specific language and implementation options at the study session.
Councilmembers asked residents to bring proposals and data to the meeting and requested that DPW include findings on how many replacement trees have been required and actually planted in the past year. The council did not take formal action tonight but scheduled the study session to allow focused consideration before any emergency restrictions would be proposed.