Tree Ordinance (2)

I understand that the impetus for a Normandy Park Tree Ordinance was the desire on the part of some members of the community (and the council) to have Normandy Park named as a Tree City. Councilmember Rankin actually evaluated the requirements as stated on the website (http://www.arborday.org/programs/treeCityUSA/index.cfm) to become a Tree City, one of which is to have a Tree Ordinance. Notably he found that the requirements for the ordinance were only about trees on public property, i. e. Normandy Park can become a Tree City without writing any new ordinances concerning private property at all. (Tthe current ordinances (or its replacement when we complete our state mandated update of the Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO)) will still have some requirements about trees in wetlands, on steep slopes, etc.)

Anyone who wants to express further concerns is invited to go to the Planning Commission meeting at City Hall on Thursday, January 15 at 7 p. m.

An idea has been expressed that the discomfort felt by some members of the public about a recent lot that was essentially clear cut for development, partially because the city had no ordinance protecting trees, might be alleviated by distinguishing between trees (on private property) that are on already developed property and those that are undeveloped. On the other hand, if someone has a buildable lot that is forested, we must allow them to cut down sufficient trees to build a house.