Troutdale unveils urban forest master plan, staff cites roughly 3,800 public trees and 24.7% canopy

Erica Paul, the project spokesperson for the Troutdale urban forest master plan, told the Planning Commission on June 10 that the city compiled a public‑tree inventory and is using that baseline to guide new street‑tree policies and municipal‑code updates. "We did the existing conditions report," Paul said, adding the inventory documented almost 4,000 trees and that the city's canopy is roughly 24.7 percent.

The plan, funded by a grant from the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development, grew out of the city's Parks and Recreation master plan and reflects roughly eight months of work by staff and consultants including Dudek, the Multnomah County Transportation Department and Friends of Trees. Paul described outreach that included a First Friday event, Movies in the Park and an online survey that drew about 160 responses; residents told staff they value street trees and are concerned about safety, falling branches and sidewalk damage.

Staff presented key findings: canopy coverage is uneven across the city with industrial areas north of I‑84 having the lowest coverage; 93 percent of inventoried trees were rated in fair or good condition; and the plan recommends increasing species diversity to reduce pest risk, specifically citing threats such as emerald ash borer. "We should be increasing species diversity because it'll help mitigate risks such as pests and diseases," Paul said.

The draft package includes a new street tree manual and an updated street tree planting guide with planting and spacing guidance, recommended root‑barrier use, and care tips for residents. Paul emphasized the city regulates street trees — trees in rights‑of‑way and parks — and that private yard trees are not subject to the permitting process. The manual will also include guidance about identifying unhealthy trees and creating defensible space for fire safety after commissioners requested stronger content on that topic.

Staff also described proposed municipal code changes (Title 13) to clarify permit triggers, add professional standards for arborist certifications, strengthen enforcement, and create a dedicated street tree fund for revenues and expenditures related to the street tree program. Paul said the plan and planting list will be adopted by resolution and are scheduled to go to City Council on July 14, while code changes will proceed as an ordinance requiring two readings and are likely to reach council in August or September.

The commission's questions shifted to implementation and costs. Commissioners pressed staff on sidewalk liability — staff confirmed that, under current practice, adjacent property owners are responsible for sidewalks — and on options to reduce homeowner burden. One commissioner suggested a city‑managed sidewalk repair fund financed by a small annual fee (a figure of about $47.50–$50 per household was discussed as a straw proposal). Paul said the urban forest plan itself is not proposing new taxes or fees and that any fee or utility approach would be a separate policy decision for City Council. She noted other jurisdictions have used small sidewalk utility fees to fund targeted repair programs.

Code details raised during discussion included a one‑for‑one replacement requirement for removed street trees and an in‑lieu payment for trees taken out and not replaced; meeting discussion referenced a payment amount of $1,600 per un‑replaced tree. Staff said a street tree fund exists and that in emergency situations the city authorizes immediate removal and issues a retroactive permit.

Commissioners also asked staff to add clearer guidance on species to avoid (cottonwoods, tree of heaven and other problematic species were highlighted) and how to prioritize planting in low‑canopy neighborhoods. Staff said the plan recommends reviewing progress every three to five years and maintaining data over time to track canopy changes.

What happens next: the public review drafts are available online, staff expects to post a second public review draft in July, the Planning Commission will see related items at its August meeting, and the plan and planting list will be presented to council July 14 for adoption by resolution; code amendments will return to council for ordinance readings after further edits.

The presentation and detailed Q&A leave several policy decisions — notably any new fee or sidewalk program — to the City Council. The commission directed staff to incorporate the requested clarifications into the public review materials before the council hearing.