Posted: Monday, November 28, 2005
A public hearing on amendments to the City's Tree Preservation Ordinance and Unified Development Code will be held this Thursday. Please come; defend the tree ordinance. The hearing will be Council's first order of business.
Public Hearing on Tree Ordinance Amendments
DATE: December 1, 2005
TIME: 9:00 am.
PLACE: City Council Chambers, 103 Main Plaza
AGENDA: Item #3. See City Council Agenda for more information.
Email your Mayor & City Council Member
A controversial development-industry amendment that would have slashed Heritage Tree preservation has been withdrawn by its author and is off the table. However, developers are still pushing to eliminate protection of Ashe Junipers. It is rumored they have support of certain Council members for this change. For more information, click here.
The Amendments |
Description |
cTc Recommendation |
| Eliminate protection of invasive exotic species |
Approval, if City Arborist verifies that trees aren't "misidentified". |
| Allow "random grid method" for surveying Heritage Trees |
Disapproval. Instead of surveying old, Heritage Trees individually, a small, random sample is taken. Potential for gross undercounting of Heritage Tree removal. A "blank check" amendment for an unwritten, poorly documented, and unproven methodology. |
| Cut mitigation ratios for short-lived Heritage Trees |
Disapproval. Will slash City's tree planting fund and encourage destruction of large Cottonwoods and Mulberries. |
| Eliminate root protection zone in parking lots where "alternative construction" is used |
Disapproval. Another "blank check" amendment. There is no documentation of "alternative construction" or any limit on its use. Will cause root damage and soil compaction. "Alternative construction" methods are ineffective. |
| Decrease preservation for school athletic fields |
Approval. |
For more information, see cTc Recommendations to City Staff.
