Owner offers 106 7th Street to city for $400,000 to preserve protected tree; commission says funds limited

Real-estate agent Rich O'Brien presented an offer for the city to purchase a small parcel at 106 7th Street for $400,000 to preserve an on-site tree that staff said carries a perpetual protection recorded with the lot.

O'Brien said the owner is local and offered the lot at a below-market price and would accept a delayed-payment arrangement if needed. Planning staff explained the earlier conditional-use arrangement associated with the lot: the prior conditional-use provision limiting development related to preservation of the tree was described as effectively making the lot unbuildable while the tree remains. Staff clarified that while a short-term-rental conditional-use driver had expired, the property remained constrained by the tree-protection arrangement unless the tree dies.

Commissioners acknowledged the conservation value but said that the city currently has no budget to purchase the lot and suggested alternatives including seeking a tax-deductible donation, pursuing a conservation easement with a land trust, or partnering with regional grant programs. Public commenters offered mixed views, with some saying the tree looks aged and others urging preservation.

Outcome: No purchase action was taken. Staff was asked to follow up on potential conservation partners and to explore donation or easement avenues.