Tree ordinance interpretation

The attorney who drafted the 2020 tree ordinance says staff is misinterpreting the mitigation provision, letting people get credit for preserving already-protected trees. He asked to be placed on the December agenda for a recommendation vote.

The MSD chairman asked the board to add the tree ordinance misinterpretation to its agenda, saying the 2020 ordinance went through full review by the MSD, this board, and the county commission.

The land-use attorney and original author of the tree ordinance says a mitigation credit provision is being misread, letting people eliminate protected 10-inch-plus oaks without the required 2-to-1 mitigation. He recommends clarifying the language or eliminating the credit entirely.