Future Tree Ordinance

Tree Ordinance

I have received several e-mails from residents about a potential Tree Ordinance that would regulate what trees may be cut and/or trimmed in Normandy Park. This ordinance is still in the conceptual stage and is being worked in the Planning Commission, so it is not before the Council right now.

The process is that the Planning Commission discusses and listens to public comment on such a proposed ordinance. If and when they are convinced that the ordinance is ready, they will vote on it, and if they pass it, they will forward it to the council. Then, and only then, will the council consider acting on it.

My current opinion (subject to discussion with my colleagues and reading the recommendations of the Planning Commission and hearing what they heard from the public,) is that 95% of the residents of Normandy Park are excellent stewards of their own private property and have no need for such an ordinance. There are, as everywhere, however, the small minority who, left unchecked, would destroy the ambiance of our city. The ordinance may be directed at them but catch the responsible ones in its web. We on the council must try to find a balance between the two. Then, in the difficult part, we must craft an ordinance that (in legally defensible words) expresses those desires. When we fail, either some responsible citizen is prevented from doing something reasonable, or someone irresponsible gets away with some desecration that we were trying to prevent.