Commission recommends Urban Forestry Trust ordinance to expand tree‑canopy funding uses

The commission on July 22 voted to recommend an ordinance that implements the recently adopted Urban Forest Management Plan by renaming the city’s public landscape trust fund to the Urban Forest Trust Fund and expanding how mitigation funds may be used.

Staff explained the ordinance and a related resolution would allow trust‑fund revenues obtained from tree mitigation to be used for planting, establishing and maintaining trees on public and eligible private property, with priority given to canopy replacement, low‑canopy neighborhoods and rights of way. The change follows Council’s June 9 adoption of the Urban Forest Management Plan and is intended to provide additional flexibility to improve canopy in areas that had been limited under the former public‑landscape trust fund.

Member Faison moved to recommend approval “with the changes as written”; the motion carried unanimously. Staff said the ordinance redline is provided in the packet and will be forwarded to City Council for adoption and to set an effective date.