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Cottages in Kirkland / photo Master Builders After removal, replacement trees must be planted on and *off-site. |
The City of Redmond is refreshing their Environmental Sustainable Action Plan (ESAP) and wants Redmond 2050 input on trees, EVs, heat pumps and more. Click ESAP to participate. OPINION: The city has not updated their tree regulations in over 26 years. They are procrastinating to accomodate much-needed housing. The removed trees are replaced with saplings but at numbers that can't reach Redmond's 40% canopy goal. Off-site planting sites for replacement trees should be identified by Parks, Planning and Public Works to broaden canopy cover. The replacement trees are supplied by the developer and installations financed with one-time money and CIP funds.
*Suggested off-site planting sites: Parks, trails, Keller Farm (forested) wetland tree mitigation bank, streets, sidewalks and by-ways, urban growth easements, Light rail stations, M&O Center and other large city projects, the Heron Rookery and western open space, schools, "plant a tree" neighbohood programs, Hartman forested wetlands, Green Redmond, RTC open space, mouth of Bear Creek, and more.
According to the Master Builders Association "A good tree code responsibly maintains or grows the level of tree coverage in a city while also allowing much-needed housing for current residents. newcomers and future generations."
The city has a 40% canopy goal. Canopy provides cooling, carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat, aesthetics, raises property values, improves mental health, lowers blood pressure and more. In my opinion, the following 2019 tree regulation modifications would improve code to accomodate need for balancing trees with much-needed housing. It's a compromise:
- For every one Landmark tree (30 inches or more) removed, six "replacement saplings
trees" (rather than three) must will be planted either on-site, off-site or fee in-lieu. ($2,000.) in that order. - For every one "Significant" tree (6 inches in diameter at breast height) removed three saplings (rather than one) must be planted either on-site, off-site,
or fee in-lieu ($500) in that order. For each tree removed illegally by topping the contractor's penalty will be tripled. - On-site tree replacements
are aren't required for single family homes.
Council, the Mayor and the Director of Planning & Community Development need to impliment suggested or similar abreviated code to maintain our quality of life while building much-needed housing.
Bob Yoder, opinion, 4/21/2025