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Planning Commission backs sweeping tree ordinance update, narrows some exemptions
Summary
The commission recommended that City Council adopt a comprehensive update to the Tree Preservation Ordinance (IZO Chapter 17), directing staff to remove an arborist-report requirement for imminent-hazard exemptions, add a definition of "imminent," revisit replacement ratios for development projects and eliminate or lower the single-family exemption threshold so more residential trees are covered.
The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend that City Council adopt a comprehensive update to the City's Tree Preservation Ordinance (TPO), with a set of commissioner-directed edits to how exemptions and replacement requirements will be implemented.
Staff presented the draft ordinance as a comprehensive rewrite that would broaden coverage to most trees greater than 6 inches diameter at breast height (DBH), create a single tree-removal permit process (covering private and public trees), establish replacement requirements and an in-lieu fee option, and clarify review authority and enforcement. Staff said the draft was informed by the Tree Advisory Committee, a Cal Fire grant, and public outreach; it also proposes resources such as a consulting arborist desk review and paid site-visit consults to reduce burdens on…
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