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Oak Harbor preservation group urges council to keep Gary Oak protection code intact
Summary
The Oak Harbor Gary Oak Society presented survey results showing strong resident support for the city’s Gary Oak protection code (chapter 20.16) and asked the council to retain the ordinance as the comprehensive-plan update proceeds, highlighting tree-compatibility construction methods and local tourism potential.
Kyle Reninger, a board member of the Oak Harbor Gary Oak Society and director of special projects, asked the City Council on May 12 to leave Oak Harbor’s Gary Oak protection code intact as the city revises its comprehensive plan. Reninger cited results from the city’s urban-forest survey showing that 85% of Oak Harbor respondents support the Gary Oak ordinance and that 60% of those respondents want additional protections.
Reninger described the protections in chapter 20.16, including a critical-root-zone standard tied to trunk diameter, a $0 permit fee for pruning or removal when necessary, and a 10-day city response time for permit requests. He said the code includes relief options such as variances, parking adjustments and landscape credits that allow property development while protecting trees.
Reninger also highlighted technical methods—“pin foundations” and “air spading”—that preserve root systems during nearby construction, and he argued that many conflicts attributed to roots are actually the symptom of failing sewer infrastructure rather than aggressive oak roots. “The sewer line tree root is really a symptom,” he said, adding that new trenchless-liner techniques can repair failing pipes without removing trees.
The society proposed low-cost tourism initiatives—self-guided Gary Oak tours and a scavenger hunt—that, Reninger said, have generated strong interest from nearby ferry riders and could help support downtown businesses. He asked staff and council members to meet with the society to discuss collaboration and urged the council to keep chapter 20.16 unchanged in the comprehensive-plan revision.
Council members raised technical and implementation questions. Mayor Proch and staff explained that the society’s mapped inventory is already shared with the city’s GIS program, and Jonathan Pollock (engineering technician) was identified as one staff contact for data integration. Councilman Peterson asked whether permits require arborist visits; staff clarified that a city permit is currently required only for Gary Oaks and that an outside arborist would be at the homeowner’s expense if one is used.
The council did not take action at the workshop; instead, members thanked the presenter and requested continued staff follow-up on GIS integration and potential tourism promotion.
Ending: The Gary Oak Society offered to meet with staff individually to discuss tourism and code details; city staff and council asked staff to continue coordinating with the society during the comprehensive-plan update.
