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Commissioners favor removing 'forested' from core habitat-block definition to increase clarity
Summary
The Planning Commission agreed in a straw poll to remove the adjective 'forested' from the 'core habitat block' definition, aiming to make the rule more measurable and avoid excluding wetlands or vernal pools that should be protected.
Commissioners discussed whether the term 'core habitat block' should retain the adjective 'forested.' Staff said the phrase likely came from an earlier report and observed that removing 'forested' would make the definition clearer and easier to measure. One commissioner noted that some habitat blocks include wet meadows, vernal pools or scrub areas that should be protected even if not forested.
"I don't have a problem with removing the word 'forested' from there," a staff member said, arguing the change would make the definition more black-and-white and less subject to debate. Commissioners conducted a straw poll and supported removing the word, with the intent of preventing someone from arguing a wetland or vernal pool does not qualify simply because it is not forested. Staff will update the draft to reflect that change for the public hearing packet.
