Title
Tree Protection Measures Briefing
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive a briefing on tree protection measures.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive a briefing on tree protection measures.
Staff Contact:
Tim Smith, Community Development Director, 360.570.3915
Presenter(s):
Tim Smith, Community Development Director
Background and Analysis:
The Land Use & Environment Committee (LUEC) recently discussed urban forestry and the City’s development of its first Urban Forestry Management Plan (UFMP), expected by May 2028. The UFMP will guide policies, programs, and practices that balance environmental health with sustainable growth and promote equitable access to the benefits of tree canopy.
Community members have expressed concerns about continued tree loss from development while the UFMP is being prepared. In response, LUEC asked staff to identify actions to strengthen tree preservation, particularly large trees on development sites.
Staff recommends procedural changes to how the City applies its existing Tree, Soil, and Native Vegetation Protection and Replacement chapter to development proposals. The changes focus on engaging applicants earlier in site planning and requiring higher-quality plan submittals. Staff has developed seven guidelines, outlined in the attached Director Interpretation.
Scoping meetings will be held between the applicant and the City’s Urban Forester before formal application submittal to discuss site conditions and determine priority tree stands that should be preserved for the project to meet minimum tree density.
Trees to be preserved must be healthy, windfirm, and appropriate to the site at their mature size, as identified by a qualified professional forester. Certified arborists will be required to prepare all Soil and Vegetation plans. They now must also be Tree Risk Assessment Qualified.
Climate Analysis:
The urban forest plays a role in advancing ...
Click here for full text