HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAP 2016-02-22 Item 2C - Discussion - Landscape/Tree Code UpdateCi!y of Tukwila
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Allan Ekberg, Mayor
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
To: Mayor Ekberg
Community Aff airs and Parks Committee
From: Jack Pace, Director, Dept. of Community Development
Date: February 17, 2016
Subject: Update of Landscaping and Tree Codes — TMC 18.52 and TMC 18.54
ISSUE
Update the Committee on the 2016 DCD work program task to revise the landscaping and tree
regulations to incorporate new Comprehensive Plan goals and policies guidance and
recommendations from Tree and Environment Advisory Committee.
BACKGROUND
The current Zoning Code landscaping regulations were adopted 17 years ago in 1999 and the
current tree regulations were adopted 21 years ago in 1995, with minor revisions to each
section of the Zoning Code in recent years. Both chapters were adopted either at the time the
1995 Comprehensive Plan was adopted or soon thereafter. 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 these codes. The three
phases are 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. This work was carried out from June to December, 2013.
• Phase 3: Revise landscape and tree regulations in the Zoning Code to implement the
Comprehensive Plan — current effort February, 2016 — March, 2017.
Now that the major update of the City's Comprehensive Plan is complete and policy guidance
has been approved on landscaping, particularly the new issue of urban forestry, Phase 3 can
begin.
DISCUSSION
Staff is proposing to carry out the majority of the code update work in 2016 with final review by
the City Council taking place in early 2017.
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INFORMATIONAL MEMO
Page 2
SCHEDULE
DCD WORK PROGRAM
PUBLIC, PC & COUNCIL REVIEW
February-
Review Tukwila Tree and
CAP Briefing February 22, 2016
April, 2016
Environment Advisory Committee
regulation recommendations;
Comprehensive Plan goals /policies;
research other jurisdictions
landscaping & tree regulations;
recruit interdepartmental City
Department Stakeholder Committee
March - August
Meet with City Department
2016
Stakeholder Committee periodically
for technical guidance
May, 2016
Develop draft ordinance
Spring, 2016
Public outreach — general public,
— Winter,
businesses, stakeholders (utilities)
2017
articles in Hazelnut, Tukwila Reporter,
attend community meetings to present
information on proposed regulations,
obtain feedback, develop interested
parties email list
June -July,
Reconvene Tukwila Tree and
2016
Environment Advisory Committee for 3-
4 targeted meetings to review
proposed regulations
August-
Revise proposed ordinance per
Depending on Green City
September,
direction of Advisory Committee and
recommendations, request input from
2016
integrate any relevant Green City
Advisory Committee
recommendations
September
SEPA Environmental Review
Required public notice
2016
Fall, 2016
Technical guidance from City
Additional outreach to interested
Department Stakeholder Committee
parties
October 27,
Planning Commission review of
2016
proposed landscaping & tree ordinance
— public hearing & deliberations
February-
Council review and adoption of
March, 2017
proposed ordinance — public hearing &
deliberation
RECOMMENDATION
Information Only.
ATTACHMENT
None.
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