Laserfiche WebLink
City of Tukwila My WebLink |HelpSearch Tips |About |Sign Out
Commissioner Maestas asked Commissioner Strander if there was a recommendation she would <br /> make in order to meet it and support the tree regulations? <br /> Commissioner Strander said she thinks it would take some more time but she is not really sure. <br /> Staff said that the next few years will allow them to see how we measure up with the tree canopy <br /> assessment once they have some more data. When there is more data,this will show if the City is <br /> falling short and how best to address this if the City is falling short. <br /> Commissioner Nguyen said that he agrees with Commissioner Strander With the need for data,but he <br /> does feel comfortable moving forward,with the amendments so far, striking a balance. He said we <br /> could keep in mind to revisit this issue in the future. <br /> Commissioner Hansen said there are two different issues for him, a new policy and the Growth <br /> Management Act Policy, and he does not see the intersection clearly on those. He said they do not <br /> have current data,but from a policy stand point he's ok,with the policy they worked on. He asked if <br /> there was an urgency to get this done before the next data,is obtained, at which time they would have <br /> something clear to work off. He asked if 2012 was the firstyear the City had canopy data. He said he <br /> accepts the policy but shares the concern`about how it ties into the Growth Management Act. <br /> Staff said 2012 is the beginning point for canopy assessment data. <br /> Commissioner Martinez said one ofthe ways they could look at it as a Planning Commission is that <br /> they have a lot of development that is going to happen in the next several years. He said that the <br /> Commission as well as staff are going to have to look at not foregoing or allowing some of the <br /> development to get a variance on the canopy growth. It's one way to help protect the future with the <br /> development. He is concerned but he'said they muststart somewhere and they will make sure that <br /> future development has the proper amount of canopy coverage as required with no variance. <br /> Commissioner Maestas said this is a policy that would support the goal of Comprehensive Plan <br /> canopy the goal being achieved. He said there is no guarantee that it will be accomplished but he sees <br /> it as something that is going to increase and maintain canopy. Without this policy having much more <br /> restrictive elements related to cutting down trees or related to housing and business development,he <br /> doesn't see those restrictions being part of this policy. He said he thinks this policy focuses on the City <br /> doing everything they,canto maintain existing trees. He asked that when they are looking at the data <br /> to give some thought as to how the City can promote the addition of trees by offering incentives for <br /> homeowners to make an assessment on their property of where they can add trees to their property. He <br /> suggested encouraging homeowners to add trees to their property and take a positive role in increasing <br /> the overall canopy of the City. He asked if there is something they could add to the policy to increase <br /> new trees in the City. <br /> Staff said that the draft regulations do allow using the tree replacement fund for single-family property <br /> owners to have a free street tree with the concurrence of the Public Works Department. Staff can look <br /> at other ways for trees to be planted and encouraged. <br /> Page 8 of 9 <br /> 9 <br />