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Staff proposes UDO change to limit street-tree requirement on small residential streets
Summary
Planning staff proposed amending the Unified Development Ordinance to require street trees only on larger classified streets (collectors/major thoroughfares) while relying on canopy/yard trees on private lots for internal residential streets; staff said the change would reduce right-of-way conflicts and maintenance costs.
Planning staff explained the Unified Development Ordinance currently requires street trees for all street types and proposed a classification approach so that only major thoroughfares and collectors would retain a mandatory street‑tree requirement. For internal residential streets the requirement would instead be satisfied by canopy/yard trees planted on private lots, reducing the need for wider rights-of-way and city maintenance obligations.
Staff and council members discussed tradeoffs: trees provide shade, stormwater and cooling benefits but can cause infrastructure conflicts (sidewalk and curb damage, overhead utilities) and ongoing maintenance costs. Speaker 14 said the proposal would not change street-tree requirements for commercial street lawns but would aim to direct canopy trees to private lots on residential streets; staff will draft an amendment, send it to planning board for recommendation, and bring it back to council for public hearing.
Next steps: staff will draft ordinance language, include species and size standards, and present to planning board before council consideration.
