I-B-2 <br />B. Code Amendment re: Tree cutting--amending City Code Sections 6.320 <br />and 6.330 <br />Recommended unanimously by Planning Commission September 6, 1977. <br />The recommended amendments would limit tree cutting in approved <br />subdivisions to street rights-of-way, public utility easements, <br />and not more than five trees per individual lot per year. Council <br />had previously discussed this amendment in concept because of recent <br />tree cutting in the South Hills. Mr. Saul said Council had discussed <br />on a number of occasions the subject of tree cutting and regulatory <br />mechanisms by which tree cutting might be controlled. In August, <br />the Planning staff had outlined a possible amendment to the Code <br />which would remove subdivisions from the Tree Cutting Ordinance. <br />City Attorney had prepared an amendment to the tree cutting regula- <br />tions which includes the concept proposed by Council. He reviewed the <br />proposed amendment, saying it limits the blanket provision in the <br />present code for subdivisions. <br />Scott Lieuallen left the meeting. <br />Mr. Saul continued the Planning Commission had suggested the use <br />of the Joint Parks Committee to review strengthening the overall <br />ordinance. <br />Mr. Obie said he recalled his motion included in the context that <br />trees would not be cut in approved subdivisions prior to building <br />permits being issued. He asked if the Planning Commission had dealt <br />with that proposal. Mr. Saul said the Planning Commission did not <br />deal with it directly, reviewing that the matter had been discussed <br />with the City Attorney, noting a problem of trying to integrate <br />the present proposed amendment to the existing ordinance. He said <br />the present ordinance allows a property owner to remove up to five <br />trees per lot without a permit. To try to prohibit any tree removal <br />would present many difficulties and problems and the attorney had <br />recommended the present drafted ordinance. Mr. Obie requested <br />Mr. Long to determine how that could be accomplished tonight. <br />Ms. Smith wondered, in regard to the Joint Parks review, if any time <br />frame had been attached. Mr. Saul said no specific time frame had <br />been recommended, but it would be at the discretion of Council in <br />regard to urgency. <br />Public hearing was opened. <br />James Johnston, 179 West 37th, represented the Crest Drive Neighbor- <br />hood Association and other groups who had concern for tree cutting. <br />He requested that Council consider the definition of a tree having a <br />trunk 18 inches in circumference at a point 4-1/2 feet above the <br />ground be inserted and strike out the previous 36-inch circumference. <br />Another concern was that trees not be removed until building permits <br />are issued. In addition, he felt it very important that the Tree <br />Cutting Ordiance be strengthened very quickly and development should <br />not continue very much longer without some modification to the ordinance. <br />9/26/77--10 <br />X33 <br />