AgdaPkt 2006-12-04 - Laserfiche WebLink

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.REPORT 7A Page 1 To, the Honorable Mayor and City Oouncil From the Clty Manager December 4,2006 Subject Community Tree Task Force Recommendations to City Council Recommendation 1) Receive the Community Tree Task Force's report and recommendations with respect to the City's codes, policies, and practices regarding the regulation of trees on public and private property; 2) Provide opportunity for clarifying questions of Task Force members and public comment; 3) By motion, accept recommendations in concept, confirm prioritization of the proposed recommendations based on staff input, and direct staff to return to Council with implementation recommendations and actions for Council consideration. Background In 1998, a special Task Force of the City Council was formed to consider the policies and implementation of the Sidewalk Repair and Tree Program. At that time, there had been concern about the removal of some large street trees as a result of needed sidewalk repair. The 1998 Task Force made policy determinations specifically related to retention and replacement of street trees with respect to potential sidewalk maintenance conflicts. In addition to City codes and policies related to trees located within the public right-of-way, the City also has a Tree Preservation Ordinance. The Tree Preservation Ordinance regulates trees located on private property. City staff has been implementing both the policies established by the 1998 Task Force, as well as the Tree Preservation Ordinance. Community Tree Task Force Creation: Over the past eight years of implementation, new concerns have evolved with respect to both public and private property tree policies and requirements. For example, one 1998 policy directed that large-scale street trees be planted throughout the City regardless of the size of the existing planting area. One approach to planting large trees in substandard sites has resulted in moving sidewalks next to the curb. This eliminates the landscape planting strips between the curb and sidewalk on some streets so that trees can be planted in larger areas on the front yard side of the sidewalk. The unintended consequence of this policy has resulted in some significant changes to the streetscape on those blocks. In other cases, property owners have tried to obtain permits to remove "nuisance" trees from their own yards. Because the Tree Preservation Ordinance requires that trees of protected size (12-inches in diameter or greater) be dead, dying or structurally unsound to qualify for removal, property owners have complained that the ordinance is too strict. The result has been that staff must respond to a wide variety of needs within the framework provided via the various codes, policies and professional tree care practices. In addition to concerns from citizens throughout the City, Public Works Services and Community Page 1 of4