Dear Tree PAC supporters,
Join other tree protection advocates this Saturday October 27th for a public coalition meeting to discuss and review proposed changes needed to strengthen the current Tree Ordinance draft proposed by the Seattle City Council. Continue reading
What’s next for Seattle’s Tree Ordinance Update?
The Seattle City Council heeded public input and has decided to slow down their rush to update SMC 25.11 – Seattle’s Tree Protection Ordinance by the end of September. This will give more time for public input and scrutiny. The public needs to continue to send in their concerns and suggestions on how to make the ordinance more effective. The Seattle City Council and the Mayor are currently focused this month and next month on adopting their 2019 Budget. They will again take up the Tree Protection Ordinance after the Budget is adopted.
You can help us get a stronger ordinance by continuing to contact the Mayor and the Seattle City Council with your concerns and suggestions. Their e-mails are:
jenny.durkan@seattle.gov and Council@seattle.gov
Below are our suggestions of changes needed in the current draft they are working with labeled as version D7 that we believe would significantly strengthen the draft ordinance.
Action Item – Council Hearing on Draft Tree Ordinance Wed. Sept 5, 2018
Public Hearing on Draft Tree Ordinance
The Seattle Land Use and Zoning Committee of the Seattle City Council is holding a Public Hearing on its proposed draft Tree Ordinance:
Wednesday, Sept 5, 2018
9:30 AM to 11:30 AM (sign up starts at 9 AM)
Seattle City Hall, City Council Chambers,
600 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
Please come and testify or send a letter to the Mayor and City Council.
jenny.durkan@seattle.gov and Council@seattle.gov
Campaign Continues to Update Seattle’s Tree Ordinance
Campaign Continues to Update Seattle’s Tree Ordinance
TreePAC is a member of the Coalition to Strengthen Seattle’s Tree Ordinance
LATEST NEWS (8/29/18): DETERMINATION OF NON-SIGNIFICANCE RELEASED ON NEWEST VERSION OF TREE REGULATIONS ORDINANCE
Summary:
Seattle City Councilmember Rob Johnson’s relentless push to repeal Seattle’s current Tree Protection Ordinance SMC 25.11 has advanced with the release of final language for the proposed new Ordinance (Version D7 – https://www.seattle.gov/council/meet-the-council/rob-johnson/trees-for-all)
Unfortunately the Seattle City Council’s latest version of an update to the current Tree Protection Ordinance has changed to what we consider a “Tree Removal and Mitigation Ordinance.” There is a big difference between proactive tree retention/protection vs mitigation, which occurs after a tree is cut. Continue reading
Action – June 1-7, 2018 – Coalition for a Stronger Tree Ordinance
Coalition for a Stronger Tree Ordinance
Dear Friends of Trees,
Can you show your support for trees next week? Let us know. We need people to show up and speak for stronger tree protection at these Seattle City Council Hearings:
Monday June 4, 2018 10 AM – Press Conference by Coalition for a Stronger Tree Ordinance at City Hall outside Council Chambers, City Hall, 500 4th Ave. Come! We need you! Invite others!
Monday June 4, 2018 10:30 AM – give public comments at the MHA Select Committee at Council Chambers in City Hall, 500 4th Ave This is the full City Council discussing the Mandatory Housing Legislation. Testimony at the beginning of the meeting needs to address that issue. It’s fairly simple.
Update on May, June Action on Seattle Tree Protection Ordinance
Its Time to Update Seattle’s Tree Ordinance
Friends of Seattle’s Urban Forest and TreePAC invite organizations and individuals to attend our next meeting where we will be gearing up to update Seattle’s Tree Ordinance.
Next meeting of Seattle Tree Ordinance Working Group:
Saturday May 26, 2018 3 PM to 5:30 PM
Northgate Public Library
10548 5th Ave NE, Seattle WA
Movement forward on Updating Seattle’s Tree Protection Ordinance – April Action
Letter requesting organizations
to join Coalition for a Stronger Tree Ordinance
Seattle City Councilmember Rob Johnson has introduced a framework to update Seattle’s current Tree Ordinance. This is something many citizens and organizations have been urging for almost 10 years.
We would like your organization to join with us and others to strengthen our coalition effort to coordinate and carry out a focused effort to update our outdated tree ordinance, last passed in 2009 as an “interim ordinance”. Continue reading
“Exceptional trees are incompatible with Urban Villages and backyard cottages” says Seattle OPCD employee Brennon Staley
The Death of Single family zoning starts in HALA, Urban Villages + ADU’s near you! And Exceptional Trees Will Not Survive. – story by Richard Ellison
“Exceptional trees are incompatible with Urban Villages and backyard cottages” says Seattle OPCD employee Brennon Staley (at the Oct 27, 2017 EIS Scoping meeting at the Hales Brewery). When I asked Brennon how, in the best possible circumstances, under ANY possible conditions could Exceptional trees be saved during development. He smiled and said that was not really possible.
So, with the City about to (1) eliminate Single Family Zoning in all Urban Village areas, and (2) allow extra ADU’s (mother-in-law units/ backyard cottages) in the remaining Single Family Zones, Seattle is going to accelerate the loss of Exceptional Trees and limit the available soil areas where new trees might ever grow to a large size and maturity.
Read the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to study the potential effects of removing barriers to creating accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in single-family zones. Visit the ADU EIS website to learn more and provide comments.
Staley, Brennon 206-684-4625 brennon.staley@seattle.gov
It was a large and vocal event for the City, taking comments on the 2 new proposals: An EIS for zoning changes, and public comments on new ADU’s.
TreePAC Endorsements for the Nov. 7, 2017 General Election Ballot
TreePAC endorses candidates
for 2017 General Election
POSITION Link to Candidate Websites
Seattle Mayor – Jenny Durkan and Cary Moon
Seattle City Attorney – Pete Holmes
Seattle City Council Position #8 – Jon Grant
Seattle City Council Position #8 – Teresa Mosqueda
Seattle City Council Position #9- Pat Marakami
Seattle Port Commission Position #1 – John Creighton
Seattle Port Commission Position Position #3 – Stephanie Bowman
Seattle Port Commission Position #4 – Peter Steinbrueck
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE TREEPAC CANIDIDATE FORUM VIDEOS
CLICK HERE TO SEE 2017 GENERAL ELECTION SEATTLE CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRES RECEIVED
Seattle Mayor Tim Burgess Signs Executive Order to Increase Tree Protection
From This Week in the Mayor’s Office – Oct 13, 2017
Protecting Seattle’s Tree CanopyMayor Burgess signed an Executive Order focused on strengthening Seattle’s protections for trees on private property today. The order directs the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections to better implement existing tree regulations through: • Strengthening the existing regulations through new and updated Director’s Rules; • Increasing penalties for illegal tree cutting; and • Developing a fee-in-lieu program to mitigate tree loss Further, the order asks City staff to explore how Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) policies could support Seattle’s urban forestry goals. “Seattle’s tree canopy is a treasure that provides critical health and economic benefits to our city,” said Mayor Burgess. “It must be protected, nurtured, and expanded. As we grow as a city, we must also grow our commitment to be good stewards of our urban forest.” ———————————————————————————————- TreePAC recommendation – Thank Mayor Burgess for his action and urge the Seattle City Council to strengthen this effort by updating the interim Tree Ordinance passed in 2009 which is still awaiting action by the City Council. They need to hear from concerned citizens. |
