Public Works and ODF recommend tree‑management policy for city‑owned lots; staff favors permit‑based approach

Public Works Director Jeff Harrington and Lisonbee Harrell from the Oregon Department of Forestry presented a proposed approach to manage trees on city‑owned property, explaining why city ownership of steep, landslide‑prone parcels has led to a large inventory of forested lots and why topping and indiscriminate cutting can harm soil stability.

Harrington said the city holds roughly 291 tax lots totaling about 320 acres of primarily tree‑covered land, many in high landslide‑susceptibility areas. Staff presented three options: (1) keep current administrative practices; (2) temporarily halt tree‑management activity (moratorium); or (3) adopt a revised administrative tree‑management policy that requires permits for work on vacant city lots, an ISA‑certified arborist on site for permitted work, limits removal to no more than 25% of a tree’s living material within a three‑year period, and prohibits topping.

Lisonbee Harrell (ODF) emphasized canopy benefits—erosion control, public health, tree equity metrics—and recommended best‑practice pruning (ANSI A300), noting topping and removing large portions of live crown are harmful. Councilors expressed support for Option 3 while asking staff to consider whether a broader tree ordinance (including private property) is warranted, whether an inventory of significant trees is feasible and what liability implications exist when arborist assessments differ from resident concerns. Harrington and City Manager Skip Spence said staff will draft policy language, including public outreach, and return to council for review.