HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2.3 Tree RegulationsTREE ORDINANCE
Amendment to the Tree Regulations -City Council Hearing -6-17-20
Purpose
•Reduce risk of wildfire in the
Wildland Urban Interface (WUI)
•Almost half of Saratoga is in a
very high fire hazard part of the
Wildland Urban Interface
Task Force and Planning Commission
Recommendations
•Increase awareness of wildfire risk for property owners in
WUI.
•Educate property owners to create a defensible space
around structures according to Cal Fire guidelines.
•Amend tree removal criteria to allow removal of trees
that increase the risk of wildfire spread in the WUI.
Proposed Tree Removal Criterion
15-50.080(a)
11)The necessity to remove a tree following the creation of a
defensible space within 100 feet of a structure located within the
Wildland Urban Interface,in accordance with defensible space
standards established by CAL FIRE or as determined by Santa
Clara County Fire Department,and that risk of increased wildfire
cannot reasonably be addressed through maintenance or
without tree removal.
Tree Removal Process
•Defensible space is to be created to the extent possible before a tree permit will be considered
•If maintenance will address the situation, use maintenance rather than removal
•Tree permit required
•Notification of neighbors required
•Can require arborist report and tree preservation plan if a large number of trees are involved
Additional Task Force Recommendations
•Place a moratorium on planting replacement trees in
the WUI for the remainder of 2020.
•Put recommendations together for Council on
providing grants for fuel reduction projects in the
WUI.
Recommendation
Introduce and waive the first reading of the attached ordinance adopting
and modifying Section 15-50.080,Tree Regulations of the Saratoga City Code
to allow the removal of trees that would contribute to the increased risk
and spread of wildfire;and
Direct staff to place the ordinance on the consent calendar for adoption on
July 1, 2020.