Title
Continue Discussion of Incentives for Heritage Tree Program
Body
RECOMMENDED ACTION (Motion):
Worksession.
BACKGROUND:
The NRC will discuss ways to improve participation in the City's Heritage Tree program. The Heritage Tree code is codified at OCMC Chapter 12.32 - HERITAGE TREES. The purpose of this Code is to recognize, foster appreciation and provide for voluntary protection of heritage trees.
A primary concern is the provision of incentives for property owners to voluntarily designate heritage trees. At the NRC meeting on October 11, 2017, the NRC raised the following questions and ideas:
a. Could there be a set aside from the Metro Enhancement grant funding annually? Are there any restrictions on that funding from Metro?
b. Perhaps the code requirements could be changed from a certified arborist report to just a simple checklist, making it cheaper for applicants to get it reviewed?
c. We could start off with CCC students at a city park, such as Mtn View Cemetery or even the grounds at CCC.
d. The NRC could select development sites where owners already have tree covenants and arborists reports, as required by land use. Maybe the owners would be more willing to designate the trees as heritage trees if they are already protected by a covenant.
Additionally, one area of new focus that the NRC may want to consider is the use of an on-line survey to engage property owners directly to raise awareness about the program and to ask property owners what aspects of the program could be improved that would increase the number of nominations. A series of questions could be designed fairly quickly to determine what is working and what is not. NRC should consider adding this to their current workplan for implementation by staff. The NRC would provide input on the questions that should be included in the survey.
Staff has invited Rodney Walters, CCC Arboriculture Instructor, to the regular meeting on December 13, 2017. Mr. Walters teaches class the evening of ...
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