DATE: September 26, 2024
TO: Planning Commission
FROM: Jeremy Lochirco, Planning Manager
SUBJECT
Title
Tree Preservation Ordinance Update: Work Session on Proposed Policy Recommendations for the Updated Tree Preservation Ordinance.
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
That the Commission review the proposed policy recommendations and provide feedback, as necessary, on the development and adoption of an updated Tree Preservation Ordinance.
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SUMMARY
The City's existing Tree Preservation Ordinance is contained within the Hayward Municipal Code (HMC) and establishes the guidelines for the protection of existing trees in the City of Hayward and the process for removing, replacing, and mitigating trees covered by the Ordinance. In May 2023, the City hired Dudek to assist with updates to the City's Tree Preservation Ordinance, completion of a citywide Tree Canopy Survey, and updates to the landscaping guidelines for the Hayward Executive Airport. While work on the Ordinance and the landscaping guidelines for the Airport continue, the Tree Canopy Survey has been completed and staff is looking for additional guidance from the Planning Commission on several policy recommendations, which are based on best practices and support the more recently adopted environmental and sustainability goals of the City.
Following review and analysis of the City's existing Tree Preservation Ordinance, in conjunction with best practices and similar approaches from other cities, staff is recommending several policy changes to the existing Ordinance to refine the current processes for preserving the protected trees and tree canopy, while offering creative, flexible and realistic solutions for applicants that need to mitigate the removal of existing trees throughout the City. As part of this analysis, staff identified several key policy areas of the Ordinance that are important for the City to consider as we work towards achievin...
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