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Council grants first reading to tree canopy code amendments after debate over fee and hardship rules
Summary
Council granted first reading to an ordinance requiring increased tree canopy in nonresidential zones, setting a 10% target and raising a cash-in-lieu hardship fee to $2,000; members debated the fee level, hardship criteria and enforcement before voting 6–1 to move the item forward for Planning Commission and Urban Forestry Commission review.
City arborist Charles Prince presented a first-reading draft to amend Chapter 48 of the zoning code to increase minimum tree canopy coverage in nonresidential zoning districts, with a stated goal of achieving 10% tree canopy in commercial zones over 20 years.
Prince and staff described draft changes including an expanded hardship process and an increase to the cash-in-lieu hardship fee, from $750 to $2,000, intended to cover the purchase, installation and one year of care for replacement trees when planting is infeasible on site.
Council members asked detailed questions about the fee level, how "hardship" would be defined and whether large developers might pay a relatively small fee instead of providing canopy on-site. Supporters said the hardship framework is narrowly tethered to state takings standards and that the $2,000 fee was chosen to cover tree costs without pricing out small local businesses.
After debate the council voted to grant first reading to TO25-22, refer it to the Planning Commission and Urban Forestry Commission for recommendation, schedule a public hearing and second reading for March 9, 2026, and advertise the hearing according to law. The motion passed 6–1.
