Ord 2570 - TMC Chapter 18.54 "Tree Regulations" - Urban Forestry and Trees

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WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan requires that criteria be established for professional assessment and corrective actions by property owners who damage code - required street trees or other required trees by topping, poor pruning practices or root disturbance; and WHEREAS, where required trees cannot be accommodated on -site, procedures for off - site planting of replacement trees or payment into a dedicated tree fund should be established; and WHEREAS, increasing the amount of tree canopy throughout the City supports the low impact development goals of the Comprehensive Plan and the City's National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit; and WHEREAS, this chapter is intended to apply to the sensitive areas otherwise regulated by Tukwila Municipal Code Chapter 18.45 until such time as the sensitive area regulations are amended to explicitly provide for tree protection in sensitive areas within that chapter; and WHEREAS, the Tukwila Tree and Environment Advisory Committee, composed of citizens, business representatives, environmental professionals and City officials, met in September, October and November 2017 to review and provide guidance on tree regulations, and revisions to Zoning Code definitions, which were forwarded to the Tukwila Planning Commission for review; and WHEREAS, on December 26, 2017, the City's State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Responsible Official issued a Determination of Non -Significance on the proposed amendments; and WHEREAS, in accordance with RCW 36.70A. 106 and WAC 365-196-630, on January 5, 2018, a 60-day notice of intent to adopt the proposed revised development regulations was sent to the State of Washington Department of Commerce and to other state agencies to allow for a review and comment period, which comment period ended prior to adoption of this ordinance; and WHEREAS, on January 25, 2018, the Tukwila Planning Commission, following adequate public notice, held a public hearing to receive testimony concerning amending the Tukwila Municipal Code and at that meeting adopted a motion recommending the proposed changes; and WHEREAS, the Tukwila City Council, following adequate public notice, held a public hearing on March 26, 2018, to receive testimony concerning the recommendations of the Planning Commission; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, HEREBY ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS: W: Word Processing\Ordinances\Tree regulations re-enacted TIVIC 18.54 final 3-28-18 CL:bjs Page 2 of 21