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
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
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.
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
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join with us and others to strengthen our coalition effort to coordinate and carry out a focused effort to update our outdated tree ordinance, last passed in 2009 as an “interim ordinance”.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
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.
Seattle City Council Position #8 – Teresa Mosqueda
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. |
GENERAL ELECTION CANDIDATE FORUM
TUESDAY, OCT. 3, 2017 – 7 P.M. TO 9:30 P.M.
POCOCK ROWING CENTER, 3320 FUHRMAN AVE. E.
IN SEATTLE’S EASTLAKE NEIGHBORHOOD
[LOCATION IS NEAR SW CORNER OF UNIVERSITY BRIDGE
PARKING IS ON STREET, OR IN PARKING LOT SPACES DESIGNATED FOR POCOCK
This forum, sponsored by the Eastlake Community Council, Friends of Seattle’s Urban Forest, Plant Amnesty, Portage Bay/Roanoke Park Community Council, Seattle Audubon, Seattle Greenspaces Coalition, Seattle Nature Alliance, Thornton Creek Alliance and TreePAC
The Forum focuses on the four Seattle citywide offices and Seattle Port Commissioner races.
7:00 Introductions and announcements
7:05 Candidates for Port of Seattle Commission
7:35 Candidates for Seattle Mayor — Cary Moon vs. Jenny Durkan
7:55 Candidates for position #9 — M. Lorena González vs. Pat Murakami
8:10 Candidates for Seattle City Attorney — Pete Holmes vs. Scott Lindsay
8:40 Seattle City Council position #8 – Jon Grant vs. Teresa Mosqueda
