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Task force presses staff to protect mature street trees as streetscape plans advance
Summary
Task-force members warned streetscape cross-sections could force removal of mature trees; staff responded the comp‑plan will remain flexible and that curb or curb‑move decisions would be evaluated during zoning or project design. Members asked staff to annotate maps to show where mature buffers should be preserved.
Mary, a task‑force member who identified herself during the meeting, challenged the draft cross‑sections and raised concerns that some bike and sidewalk alternatives would conflict with existing large street trees. "So if you put the bicycle lane in there, you're already on top of where those trees are," she said, noting several locations where existing mature canopy contributes to the street character.
Tom (staff) and other planners answered that the comp‑plan stage intentionally preserves flexibility and does not lock engineers into specific curb moves. "At the comp plan stage, we typically don't constrain ourselves," Tom said, adding that detailed design and zoning reviews would resolve whether curbs move or bike facilities are routed around trees. Task‑force members pushed staff to add graphic annotations and language to preserve identified buffer areas in Fair Lakes and Government Center Parkway so applicants and reviewers could better understand where tree protection is expected.
Staff agreed to take the feedback back for potential annotations and to consider stronger language distinguishing areas where existing canopy should be retained from areas where an urban edge is intended.
