DATE: June 12, 2025
TO: Planning Commission
FROM: Peter Jensen, Landscape Architect
SUBJECT
Title
Proposed Amendment to Chapter 10 (Planning, Zoning and Subdivision), Article 15 (Tree Preservation Ordinance) of the Hayward Municipal Code to Update Regulatory Guidelines for the Designation, Removal and Mitigation of Protected Trees; Proposed Amendments to the Adopted 2026 Master Fee Schedule; and Finding the Proposed Project is Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15307 (Class 7): Actions By Regulatory Agencies for Protection of Natural Resources, and Section 15308 (Class 8): Actions By Regulatory Agencies for Protection of The Environment.
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
That the Planning Commission recommend City Council approval of the proposed Text Amendments of the Hayward Municipal Code Chapter 10, Article 15 to update the City’s Tree Preservation Ordinance (Attachment III); approval of amendments of the 2026 Master Fee Schedule (Attachment IV) and Findings that the proposed amendments are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15307 (Class 7) and Section 15308 (Class 8) (Attachment II).
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SUMMARY
Hayward Municipal Code Chapter 10, Article 15, (Tree Preservation Ordinance), contains guidelines for the preservation of existing trees and the process for removing, replacing, and mitigating the loss of trees covered by the Ordinance. A comprehensive update of the Ordinance, which was last amended in 2002, was included as Program NR-61 of the Natural Resources Element of the Hayward 2040 General Plan and Special Project CP7 under Champion Climate Resilience and Environmental Justice in the City Council’s Strategic Roadmap.
In May 2023, the City hired Dudek to help prepare the proposed updates, complete a citywide Tree Canopy Survey, and prepare landscaping guidelines for the Hayward Executive Airport. The proposed updates are based on best practices in the field of tree preservation and landscape architecture, and support the broader equity, environmental, and sustainability goals of the City.
Work sessions related to these updates were held with the Planning Commission on September 26, 2024, and February 27, 2025, and with the City Council on September 17, 2024, and March 18, 2025. During those meetings, the Planning Commission and City Council provided feedback on several key policies for inclusion in the Ordinance. Following the work sessions, staff and the consultant team revised the Ordinance to address the feedback received and is now presenting the final Ordinance for recommendation by the Planning Commission to the City Council.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment I Staff Report
Attachment II Findings for Approval
Attachment III Draft Ordinance
Attachment IV Proposed Master Fee Schedule Updates
Attachment V Draft Tree Ordinance Appendix