CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AGENDA PACKET

Page 1 of 4 Item #13 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT December 3, 2024 Public Works - Engineering Division TITLE: INTRODUCE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 17.16 REGARDING TREE PRESERVATION SUMMARY On March 5, 2024, staff presented a draft amendment to the tree preservation chapter of the Pleasanton Municipal Code to the City Council. After reviewing the proposed changes and receiving public input, the City Council directed staff to convene a Tree Preservation Ad Hoc Subcommittee to review the existing tree preservation ordinance and recommend appropriate changes. The subcommittee, comprised of Vice Mayor Testa, Councilmember Arkin, and Heritage Tree Board of Appeal member Deckert, met on three occasions to determine necessary updates for the benefit of both the city’s urban forest and residents. The outcome of these discussions is incorporated in the proposed revised tree preservation ordinance. RECOMMENDATION Introduce an ordinance amending and replacing Chapter 17.16 of the Municipal Code regarding tree preservation. BACKGROUND In the early 1970s, the City recognized the importance of its urban forest, and the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 640 relating to the preservation of trees on September 20, 1971. The City Council has modified the Tree Preservation chapter of the municipal code (Tree Preservation Ordinance) over time, mostly in response to land development and issues with enforcement of the ordinance, but also to reflect the changing needs of residents, changing conditions and growth of the city, the 2022 adoption of the City's Climate Action Plan 2.0 (CAP 2.0), and new state regulations. Recognizing the need to determine a management strategy for the city’s aging urban forest, in March 2023 the City Council approved a contract with Dudek to assist staff in amending the ordinance as a component of the Urban Forest Master Plan project, CIP No. 20773. Staff worked with Dudek to analyze ordinances from other cities, speak with various urban forestry experts, including local tree contractors and consulting arborists, and review public input received while managing and enforcing tree preservation to determine recommended amendments to the City’s existing Tree Preservation Ordinance. On March 5, 2024, staff presented a draft of the updated ordinance to the City Council, which after receiving input from several members of the public and reviewing the ordinance updates, the City Council directed staff to convene a Tree Preservation Ad Hoc Subcommittee with two City Council representatives – Vice Mayor Testa and Councilmember Arkin – and one Heritage Tree Board of Appeal member – Parks and Recreation Commissioner Deckert. The subcommittee reviewed and discussed the existing tree preservation chapter of the municipal code, ordinances of similar cities, related city policies, and received input from the public, Page 101 of 126