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Bothell planning commission backs 46% canopy target in draft urban forest plan; staff to return with data and cost options
Summary
At a Nov. 19 study session the Planning Commission reviewed a draft Urban Forest Management Plan that proposes raising the city's tree canopy from 44% to 46% by 2045, lowering the 'significant tree' threshold from 8" to 6" for development retention calculations, and prioritizing plantings in low-canopy neighborhoods; staff will return Dec. 17 with more data and cost ranges.
The Bothell Planning Commission spent its Nov. 19 meeting reviewing a draft Urban Forest Management Plan that would set a new citywide canopy target and lay out strategies for retention, planting and municipal programs.
Staff told commissioners the city’s most recent canopy assessment shows Bothell at about 44% tree canopy cover and proposed a 2-percentage-point increase — a citywide target of 46% by 2045. A staff presenter said the plan models assume about 7.5 acres of canopy loss occurred between 2015 and 2023 and that meeting the target would require a mix of developer mitigation, city planting programs and partner efforts.
Commissioners focused discussion on how a citywide percentage goal would work alongside equity-based priorities. “Seventy‑four percent of survey respondents wanted an increase in overall trees,” the staff presenter summarized, and commissioners asked…
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