CDN 2017-09-25 Item 2D - Update - Tree Regulations (TMC Chapter 18.54)

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City of Tukwila Allan Ekberg, Mayor INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM TO: Community Development and Neighborhoods Committee FROM: Nora Gierloff, Deputy Director, Department of Community Development BY: Carol Lumb, Senior Planner CC: Mayor Ekberg DATE: September 15, 2017 SUBJECT: TMC 18.54, Tree Regulations Update ISSUE Update the Community Development and Neighborhoods Committee on the status of the 2016- 2017 DCD work program task to revise the tree regulations to implement new urban forestry Comprehensive Plan goals and policies. BACKGROUND The current current tree regulations were adopted 22 years ago in 1995, with minor Zoning Code revisions in recent years. Recognizing the sensitive nature of the policy decisions to balance environmental quality, property rights, aesthetics and natural functions, the Council developed a three-phase process to update this code, as well as the landscaping code as follows: Phase 1: Tree and Environment Advisory Committee: team of Tukwila residents, business and professional experts, and Planning Commission and City Council representatives appointed to guide development of goals and policies on the natural environment and urban forestry. Committee met from September, 2012 to May, 2013 and provided recommendations to the Planning Commission. Phase 2: Update of the Natural Environment Element of the Comprehensive Plan incorporating the new policy direction from the Advisory Committee: Planning Commission and City Council review and adoption of the revised Natural Environment Element, June to December, 2013. Phase 3: Using the Advisory Committee process again, revise landscape and tree regulations in the Zoning Code to implement the Comprehensive Plan. The landscaping regulation changes were approved by the City Council in March, 2017. The current effort to update the tree regulations will complete work on implementing the Comprehensive Plan urban forestry goals and policies. DISCUSSION The Tree and Environment Committee is re -convening to assist with the initial review of draft changes to the tree regulations found in TMC 18.54 and to review revisions to existing definitions in the Zoning Code and proposed new terms that relate to trees and landscaping, particularly the goal establishing tree canopy percentages for all zoning districts in the City. First, no change is proposed to the size of a significant tree, which is four inches in diameter, measured at breast height (DBH) or the number of trees that can be removed from a single CL 9/15/2017 11:39 AM W:\Sharepoint\Long Range PlanningI2016-2017 Landscape & Tree Code Update\Tree Code\ Council Review \CON Memo 9-25-17 19