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| I've lived in Redmond 44 years and have witnessed the severe tree loss. Fortunately, neighborhoods like Education Hill and Grasslawn have retained most of their character. Loss in the urban centers and outlying developments is severe. - Yoder |
OPINION: When tree loss from city mitigation is combined with tree loss from private development the impact to our environment and city character is severe. A case in point is the Chelsea Square II project of two-eight story downtown buildings. Its Tree Preservation Map shows all trees will be stripped including most lush street trees. (NE 83rd Street, 164th Street.) Especially damaging, Tree Regulations protecting our canopy haven't been upadated in over 26 years. Good for the developers, bad for our environment and city character.
City Tree Mitigation Update, 2025:
The City will remove, top or limb ~ 271 trees by late 2025 with more to come in 2026.
BACKGROUND: In 2023 the city assesseed 18,000 city-owned trees for health in parks, right of ways, open spaces, and street trees, to ensure public safety while preserving our urban forest. The assessment focused on trees that were 12” or greater in trunk diameter [significant and landmark trees] located within striking distance of a target, near streets, parking spaces, buildings, or structures.
In 2024 the 35 the city's highest priority trees were mitigated for health risks. Council Presisident Kritzer was unhappy when she heard of this and planned to look at them before they were cut.
David Tuchek, a Deputy Parks Director said about a third of the trees would be removed, a third would be topped into snags for wildlife habitat, and a third would be limbed or pruned. After hearing Tuchek's report, Council President Kritzer reneged stating the mitigation plan was a good for the city and wildlife habitat.
In 2025, the city will focus on the next 50-60 highest priority trees with additional funding for mitigation in 2026. That's a total of ~ 271 trees that will be mitigated (removed, topped, limbed, pruned) by 2025 with more to come in 2026. After a query by CM Fields the Parks Director listed several projects in place like Green Redmond for planting tree replacements.
-- 3/25/25 Council Committee of the Whole, Parks & Human Services
3 comments:
I seriously doubt that the City will achieve its stated goal relating to tree canopy. The need to clear land for development combined with this approach to mitigation is likely to outpace any replanting efforts.
Tree canopy is great but you can see where priorities lie based upon permits granted more so than lofty proclamations and promises coming from executives.
Exactly. The 26 year delay in updated city tree regulations is primarily attributed to executives (in order of influence) Carol Helland, Director of Planning and Community Development; Angela Birney, Mayor; and One Redmond developer spokspersons, the development lobby association.
Council's "feel good" 40% canopy goal is purposed to placate and program the public they are "trying" hard. However, after 26 years without an Update, 40% is not a goal but a dream and for honesty and accountability Redmond 2050 should to be rewritten to account for this outragiously unrealisic goal.
On 4/9/2025 Director Helland emailed the Update is in her "work plan." OMG
Shortly after I published this article --- the city published this "feel good"
"TREE GIVEAWAY PROGRAM:" (It will barely scratch our canopy needs.)
"The tree giveaway is open ONLY to Redmond residents within the 98052 zip code. Whether you’re a homeowner or a renter, you’re invited to join us in growing Redmond’s tree canopy."
How to Participate -- (very bureacratic and cumbersome:)
1) Utility Location: It is **required before applying to call 811** to check the location that you want to plant your tree to avoid damaging utility lines.
2) Sign up: Fill out the online application form (**available summer 2025**).
Choose **up to three trees** appropriate for your space.
3) For no charge, request a bag of mulch for each tree and a yard sign to show off your commitment to Redmond's canopy!
4) Pick up your tree(s) and mulch: Collect your tree(s) on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, at the municipal campus parking lot. (what if you're out of town, etc.?)
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