Council votes no on tree ordinance amendments

November 30, 2006

City Council voted down clear-cutting amendments to the tree ordinance after GSABA sent a letter to Council opposing its own amendments. In the November 29th letter, GSABA stated it did "not support adoption of PAC 3F."

PAC 3F contained clear-cutting amendments, an amendment to eliminate 9 native tree species, and others. Referring to Council's November 2nd vote to cut back the ordinance, the letter notes: "Much of the amendments in PAC3F have been addressed by Council action and are therefore not necessary at this time."

This is what happens when you write ordinances in secret

Also today, Council rescinded one of the amendments it passed on November 2nd. That amendment, sponsored by Christopher "Chip" Haass, would have fined developers up to $10,000 for illegal clear-cutting.

However, City attorneys determined that the fine violated state law. Haass asked City attorneys for assistance in developing an alternative method of discouraging illegal tree clearing, which is to be voted on December 14th.

Environmental protections also rejected; citizens lose right to submit amendments

cTc amendments designed to protect environmentally sensitive floodplains, and amendments by AGUA to limit grandfathering were also defeated. Nonetheless, Public Works Director Tom Wendorf has been instructed to report back on floodplain development by the end of January, 2007.

In another action, Council abolished a provision allowing citizens to initiate development code amendments. In the future, this right will be restricted to City Council and its appointed commissions.