Portland City Council approves policies proposed by Citywide Tree Project

From Portland’s Bureau of Planning & Sustainability

On Wednesday, April 13, Portland City Council voted unanimously to approve amendments to the December 2010 draft of the Citywide Tree Policy and Regulatory Improvement Project. The amendments were made in response to input from individuals and community organizations.

The Council referred to the comprehensive overhaul of the city’s tree rules as “landmark legislation” and expressed appreciation for the many Portlanders, organizations, and city bureaus that have participated in this multi-year effort.

The Citywide Tree Project will be implemented in phases, starting with the development of informational materials and a tree manual, permit tracking system upgrades, and initial amendments to the Portland Zoning Code in July 2011. Implementation of the new consolidated code, Title 11 (Trees), a second set of zoning code amendments, a new single point of contact, and a 24-hour tree hotline pilot project will begin in February 2013.

A project summary, adopted ordinances, amendments to the Citywide Tree Project Recommended Draft to City Council (December 2010), and a list of code amendments that will become effective this July are posted along with general information about the project at www.portlandonline.com/bps/treeproject.

Friends of Trees has been involved in the Citywide Tree Project for many years and is pleased that City Council approved the policy changes. Watch this blog later this week for more information about the new policies. You can also read more about community support for tree policy changes in this March story on our blog.