Zoning Code Update

As the Environmental Policy Board (EPB) knows, City Staff is in the process of rewriting the City's Zoning Code.  Attached to this case are the current drafts of the Landscaping and Tree Preservation sections (both with the markups and the 'clean' versions.  Staff has also created a separate chapter for Shade Tree Diseases and Pests.  Much of the language in this new chapter was simply moved from the Tree Preservation section.  However, Staff has also added new language, including a paragraph summarizing the intent of the standards, standards for tree contractors (licensing requirement), a declaration of what constitutes a tree nuisance, specific standards that would support issuance of a 'Notice to Take Action', and preventative measures.  Staff has forwarded this draft to the City Attorney for review and comment.  As of the writing of this case, Staff has not received a response from the City Attorney. 

The EPB has reviewed iterations of both the Landscaping and Tree Preservation sections previously.  Staff took the feedback from the EPB's last meeting to finalize the drafts of both of these sections and wanted to provide one last opportunity to review.  This is the first opportunity the EPB has to review the Shade Tree Diseases and Pests chapter and, as can be seen, it's still in a fairly rough draft format, at least until there is feedback from the City Attorney.  As with the other sections, any feedback from the EPB would be welcomed.

Based on discussion.