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Milwaukie council advances tougher tree-preservation rules, sets second reading for Feb. 3
Summary
City staff proposed raising canopy mitigation standards and sharply increasing fees for significant tree removal; council gave title-only first reading and declared an emergency so changes could take effect pending second reading on Feb. 3, 2026.
Milwaukie’s City Council moved on Jan. 20 to advance changes to the city’s tree code aimed at preserving mature trees during development, voting in favor of a title-only first reading and declaring an emergency so the ordinance will be final after a required second reading on Feb. 3, 2026.
Staff presented a package of revisions that would raise canopy-mitigation requirements and increase fees intended to deter removal of large trees. Katie Dores, the city’s climate and financial resources manager, and Alfred/Erwin Forrester (staff presenter) detailed a proposed increase in the canopy mitigation starting point from 30% to 40% and tiered fees if a site reduces canopy below thresholds; staff said fees could range from several thousand dollars up to as much as $40,000 depending on the reduction.…
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