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Council updates forest conservation code to align with state law; adopts multiple amendments
Summary
Council adopted ordinance O16‑26 with amendments to conform local forest conservation rules to state law, revise appeal procedures and shorten the pre‑work appeal stay; amendments passed on voice votes and the ordinance was adopted on second and third reading.
Council took up O16‑26, a set of amendments intended to align the city’s forest conservation program with changes in state law and to clarify the city’s appeal process. Alderman Savage introduced a package of amendments that refined appeal language, adjusted the annual report due date and changed references from a building board of appeals to a broader board of appeals.
Savage explained the amendments were technical, procedural and designed to ensure compliance with new state standards. "This just refines our appeal process to better comply with the state's new requirements," he said. One amendment shortened the regulatory stay so that applicants would need to indicate an intent to appeal within a short window (the council approved a 10‑day notice period rather than the longer window in earlier drafts).
After debate and multiple recorded votes on amendments, councilmembers approved the amendments and adopted O16‑26 on second and third reading. The ordinance passed with multiple amendments addressing appeal timing, reporting and minor corrections recommended by city staff and the law office.
