Spadework Done On Plan For City’s Trees Council Sends Forestry, Prefab Housing Issues To Neighborhood Groups For Review

A plan to manage Spokane’s urban forest made its debut before the City Council on Monday.

Mike Stone of the city Parks Department unveiled a proposed ordinance that establishes a plan for the removal, pruning and planting of trees in the public right-of-way.

The proposal also includes plans for a permanent urban forestry program with a $400,000 budget in 1998. That includes money for a full-time urban forestry supervisor, an arborist and tree trimmer.

As drafted, the ordinance says:

A resident must get a street tree permit before pruning, removing or planting a tree in the public right-of-way.

A tree committee composed of park board members and tree-care specialists would develop and update a “vegetative management plan” for the city. That plan would include specifics about how Spokane’s vegetation should be maintained and improved.

A resident who harms a street tree by burning near it or nailing a sign to it could be fined.

An urban forestry fund should be set up to pay for planting and maintaining trees, and removing unhealthy ones. Part of the money for the fund would come from permits and fines.

Two years ago, the city began a street-tree inventory aimed at improving the health of Spokane’s urban forest.

“Tree ordinances are among the tools used by communities striving to attain a healthy, vigorous and well-managed community forest,” said Melissa Burtt, a member of the committee that helped draft the proposed ordinance.

The proposal will be sent to neighborhood groups for review in September, revised in October and sent to the council for approval in November, Stone said.

Council members also will be asked to approve a budget for the new program.

Also Monday, the council delayed for 60 days a decision on whether to loosen restrictions on the siting of manufactured housing.

The proposed change would do away with provisions that limit the number of prefab homes in one block.

The council wanted to give neighborhood councils a chance to review the proposal.

, DataTimes