A new proposal on urban tree ordinances seeks to balance the need for affordable housing with the need for increasing our collective tree canopy.

HB 1153, sponsored by Rep. Davina Duerr (D–Bothell), creates an incentive program for cities that choose to incorporate tree banking into their urban forestry ordinances. The bill proposes the following:

• Defines “tree bank” as designated areas where trees can be planted to compensate for the removal of trees elsewhere, and includes a fee in lieu of planting
• Directs the Department of Natural Resources to:
  • Create an optional model urban forestry ordinance and recommendations to include tree banking
  • Administer a grant program for cities who choose to adopt the model ordinance or have a substantially similar ordinance
  • Provide technical and planning assistance
• Requires the bill to be funded in the budget this session or it is null and void

One of the grant criteria, it appears, would prohibit a jurisdiction from requiring a tree remain on site if it impacted a proposed development in any number of ways (which are enumerated in the bill) unless that tree was environmentally critical to retain. The use of “outside of a critical area” implies an area identified in a critical area ordinance but we are unclear the intent due to the drafting.

We appreciate that this approach provides an option rather than a mandate and recognizes that cities need planning and technical resources to adopt model ordinances.

Date to remember

HB 1153 will be heard in the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday, January 29 at 8 am.