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Commission flags clerical problems and mitigation-ratio concerns in draft natural-resource impact guidance
Summary
Parks commissioners reviewed draft natural-resource mitigation guidance tied to the city’s UDO and urged clerical corrections, clearer acronyms and resolution of a disputed mitigation ratio before sending a recommendation; staff said the ordinance and guidance will be revisited in the fall.
Commissioners spent significant time on draft guidance for natural-resource impact compensation that is tied to the Unified Development Ordinance. Marian X, principal planner, explained the guidance is still a draft and that the ordinance-level changes will proceed through the legislative process this fall.
Several members raised clerical and cross-reference concerns, saying tables and section references in the guidance did not match the ordinance text. One commissioner pointed to inconsistent references (for example, a guidance table referencing one section number while the ordinance uses another) and said that clerical corrections should be made before the commission issues a recommendation.
Members also questioned a mitigation ratio discussed in the draft (a change that effectively alters the woodland replacement ratio), saying it appeared to differ from prior language and might allow greater impact without equivalent compensation. "If you're saying these four types of mitigation are allowed and then you go to the ordinance and... they don't match up," one commissioner said, urging an administrative cleanup prior to a comprehensive review.
Marian said staff would incorporate suggested edits, clarifications for acronyms and administrative fixes, then present a finalized draft after those clerical changes. Commissioners discussed forming a small subcommittee to do a targeted review, but noted that subcommittee meetings require separate notice. Staff noted the commission can submit a recommendation but that ordinance amendments and final adoption would follow the full legislative schedule this fall.
The commission did not take a final vote on the guidance at the June 8 meeting; members agreed to collect and submit technical comments and to revisit a final draft when clerical and reference issues are corrected.
