Title
First Reading of Ordinance No.19-1016, Amending Oregon City Municipal Code Chapter 12.32 - Heritage Trees
Body
RECOMMENDED ACTION (Motion):
Approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 19-1016, amending Oregon City Municipal Code Chapter 12.32 - Heritage Trees.
BACKGROUND:
Planning Commission endorsed the revisions to the Oregon City Municipal Code (OCMC) 12.32 on September 9, 2019. The heritage tree code is not a land use item, and is not subject to typical legislative process. The Planning Commission did consider and comment on the changes prior to making an informal recommendation for approval. Prior to the Planning Commission's review, planning staff worked with the Natural Resources Committee (NRC) to develop the recommended changes to the Heritage Tree Code, OCMC 12.32. Special thanks go to all NRC members and in particular Nancy Broshot and Dorothy (Didi) Dahlsrud for their excellent input on the code changes.The NRC reviewed the draft amendments to the code on March 13, June 12, and recommended approval on July 10, 2019
Oregon City established a Heritage Tree Designation in order to recognize, foster appreciation and provide for voluntary protection of certain trees, because of their age, species, natural resource value, ecological or historical association, are of special importance to the city.
The intent of the revisions is to simplify the process for the voluntary nomination and designation of heritage trees and thereby encourage more nominations.
The attached redlined version of the code includes the following substantive changes:
- Removal of the requirement to provide a certified arborist report regarding tree condition. The NRC believes that this requirement is a disincentive for people considering heritage tree nomination. The City Commission may at their discretion choose to require an arborist report prior to final designation, however, this would not be a codified requirement.
- Instead of reviewing nominations as they are submitte...
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