The Programs & Services Committee voted to No Action Necessary on the following (see Report and watch the NewTV video):
- Citizens Group Petition on Chapter 21, Art. III, Division 3 (5-1, Councilor Wright opposed, Councilor Noel not voting) to amend the City’s Tree Preservation Ordinance to apply the following protection regulations to all healthy, not dangerous trees 6 inches DBH (diameter at breast height) and larger on all properties in the City not owned by the State or Federal Government: Require planting replacement or cash payment to mitigate the environmental and health damages to abutters from tree removal; waiver of the payment or replacement requirement only if the application process provides acceptable certification that the protected tree is dead, diseased, dangerous, or that removal of the tree will improve the overall health of the tree canopy; protection of trees on lots adjacent to construction sites; and owners of abutting properties shall be notified of each tree-removal application.
15 residents spoke in favor, 2 against, and 2 made non-committal statements.
According to the report, multiple Councilors noted that many suggestions worth exploring were presented during the public hearing. These include having a distinction for developers versus residents, and a distinction between native and non-native plants.
