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Sustainability Commission requests Town Center refresh and will review urban forest plan update
Summary
Commissioners asked staff to schedule a Town Center update and signaled interest in conducting sustainability analysis (density, green-building incentives and tree retention). Staff said an urban forest management plan update and consultant engagement are planned for 2026–27.
Commissioners used the Feb. 12 meeting to request follow-up briefings on two larger policy items: the Town Center development project and the city’s urban forest management plan update.
Several commissioners said the Town Center topic remains politically sensitive and that a refresher on the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) would help the commission ground future recommendations. One commissioner asked staff to re-circulate the Final EIS; another proposed the commission review the EIS as homework and return prepared to discuss sustainability‑relevant sections.
Staff said they will check timing with Community Development and consider inviting David Pyle or other department staff to present an update. Staff described potential sustainability levers—green building incentives, solar-ready code incentives, tree retention standards and transportation measures—and explained that the commission’s most effective role is to align its recommendations with Council decision points so that staff can forward formal input when appropriate.
On the urban forest management plan, staff said the city plans to engage a consultant and anticipated a September kick-off to review scope and goals. The commission discussed doing early internal review, community outreach tied to the plan, and possible joint sessions with the Planning or Parks and Recreation Commissions.
Commissioners agreed there was value in reading the Final EIS and coming back for a targeted discussion, and asked staff to re-send the document and propose dates for Town Center and urban forest presentations.
