14-015 - King County - 2014 Recycling Grant

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CITY OF TUKWILA 2014 WRR GRANT Exhibit A Task 4: Urban Forestry and Tree Protection Sustainable Code Review and Development Background Tukwila has amended the Comprehensive Plan by adopting new goals and policies for canopy cover, tree retention, tree protection, and urban forestry maintenance. During 2014 will continue this work by starting to prepare development code based on new urban forestry and natural environment policies including one or more of the following: • Revisions to the existing Tree Ordinance, to improve its effectiveness in Tight of the new policies. The existing ordinance, adopted in 1995, is 'confusing, only regulates individual trees in sensitive areas and is not really providing much tree protection on steep slopes. It also does not specify state -of -the art tree protection measures to be used during construction activities. • Revisions to the Landscape Code, to address new urban forestry policies, increase energy efficiency and improve storm water management in commercial and industrial zones. These revisions will help in implementing the City's new storm water regulations which encourage low impact development using on -site infiltration methods. Increasing tree canopy and density in these areas will help promote more environmentally friendly storm water management. The intent would also be to improve tree management in these areas to provide for more diversity in species, promote better tree care (such as prohibiting topping or improper pruning, require replacement if a tree dies, etc.). • Revisions to street tree policies and a plan for street tree management and funding. There is currently inadequate funding for street tree installation and no measures to regulate tree care, conflicting policies about allowed tree species, lack of understanding about maintaining tree health, Objectives: WRR funds will support staff time to prepare development codes that protect and enhance tree cover and guide appropriate landscaping. This will also include educating the public, development community, appointed and elected officials about the value of trees in the urban environment. Public outreach and education will occur through articles in the Hazelnut newsletter, online, and in the Tukwila reporter. The public can participate in the process through public meetings and hearings. Staff may form and use a Tree Advisory Committee composed of members of the community, and tree specialists similar to the Comprehensive Plan update's Tree Committee. A decision has not yet been reached. RF Page 10 of 11 12/13/2013 P: \SWPublic \KSC_Public \RES \WRR Grant Info \2014 \Scopes \Tukwila 2014 KC WRR SC @BD.doc