Lakewood presents consolidated Natural Environment and Climate Change program; commissioners debate 40% tree canopy goal and costs

City staff briefed the Lakewood Planning Commission on Jan. 21 about the Natural Environment and Climate Change (NEC) program, a multi-year effort to combine climate resilience planning, urban forestry, and state-required tasks under House Bill 1181 into a single coordinated program.

Assistant Planning and Public Works Director Silva described the NEC program as an effort to pull together recent data, community input and comprehensive-plan policies to meet both voluntary city goals and state planning requirements. Silva said the city's voluntary tree canopy goal is 40% by 2050 and that some elements of the city's parks, utilities and capital facilities already comply with HB 1181. Silva said recent, unexpected grant funding plus American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars and an existing tree fund will allow the city to expand near-term urban-forestry work: planned actions include public tree giveaways, education, grant incentives up to $4,000 for qualifying property owners and partnerships with Pierce Conservation District and Tacoma Tree Foundation.

Silva highlighted an urban-heat mapping exercise conducted in 2024 showing higher daytime temperatures in areas with low canopy cover and said staff will develop a three- to five-year urban forestry plan and pursue required planning steps between now and mid-2029 (including transportation-focused analyses and an EV infrastructure plan). She said City Council directed staff to study creating a standing advisory board to oversee NEC work and that staff will return to Council and then to the commission with details.

Commissioners asked about funding sources and feasibility. In response to questions about EV planning and whether state or federal funds will remain available, Silva said the state is currently providing planning funding through 2029 but cautioned the funding environment is "a moving target" and implementation funding beyond planning is uncertain. On transportation and recent road closures (112th Street), staff explained that sequencing is often driven by grant timelines and contractual obligations (including Sound Transit projects) and that short-term measures such as flashers, signage and increased enforcement are being considered.

Several commissioners pushed back on the 40% canopy target as potentially unattainable and costly. One commissioner recounted the commission's earlier recommendation for a lower target (around 30%) and warned that meeting a 40% target could require substantial expenditures or taking existing private properties; a figure of roughly $685,000 to implement aspects of the program was cited during the discussion. Commissioners suggested lower-cost options such as volunteer plantings, targeted incentives for property owners, prioritizing planting in low-income, low-canopy neighborhoods for equity, and ensuring replacement trees provide cooling benefits.

Next steps: staff will present options to City Council on an advisory board, continue NEC planning tasks, return information on the EV infrastructure plan and timing, and bring further detail on costs and implementation approaches to future Planning Commission meetings.