What's next for Bend's tree code?
This week, Bend's Tree Code Regulations Update Advisory Committee (TRUAC) sent a set of recommendations to City Council.
Back in April, the Bend City Council embarked on this regulations update for new, large-scale development sites.
LandWatch staff have been serving on TRUAC throughout this process. The primary goal of this process is finding a balance between two important community goals: preserving trees and building needed housing. The Bend City Council is also interested in exploring ways to preserve and expand Bend’s overall urban tree canopy.
Here’s our take on the Tree Code Recommendations:
Headed in the right direction.
If implemented with rigor and oversight, these code recommendations should result in more trees being preserved during development projects citywide. And when trees are removed, more trees will be planted to replace them.
Gains are only incremental.
With some small, reasonable adjustments, more trees could be preserved without hindering housing. We’ll work with you and our community to advocate for adjustments in the public process ahead. These adjustments include:
Increasing the percentage of priority trees (20 inches) preserved on site from 20% to 25%.
Increasing the percentage of DBH preserved on site from 25% to 30%.
Increasing the 5% minimum preservation ‘floor’ to 10% for all sites larger than ½ acre.
Lowering the preservation exemption from 1 acre to ½ acre lots, as there is already a discretionary path for developers who can’t meet preservation target.
Impactful, additional actions are needed.
It’s worth noting that the scope of this code update was narrow. There are critical, additional steps that City Council must take - with your urging - to preserve and expand our urban tree canopy, including:
Add an Urban Forestry function and arborist to City staff during the budget process.
Conduct a robust tree inventory and mapping effort.
Consider and amend street and engineering standards to encourage more tree survival and preservation.
Ensure the City’s upcoming stormwater and climate action plans include and support the management and expansion of Bend's urban tree canopy.
Pursue abundant state and federal funding for urban tree canopy and green infrastructure-related work.
“These tree code recommendations to City Council are a step in the right direction. LandWatch appreciates that this committee came in with different opinions and worked hard to strike a balance that would preserve more trees and build needed housing. If implemented with rigor and oversight, these updates should preserve more of our tree canopy and LandWatch believes that with a few more adjustments even more trees could be preserved without hindering housing. We look forward to continuing to participate in the public process ahead - and then working with the City to closely monitor the implementation of these code updates to ensure they lead to our shared, desired outcomes.”
Photo: Kendall Brobst Schiff
Your turn is coming
Our elected leaders will need to hear from our community and there are opportunities ahead to advocate for reasonable code adjustments and additional actions. Once City staff draft the code amendments, the public process for adoption begins: outreach to the community, work sessions, and public hearings before the Planning Commission and City Council.
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Trees are a terrific tool for making our city climate-resilient, livable and equitable. No matter what code updates and actions are adopted by City Council, LandWatch will monitor implementation to ensure that more trees - especially large, mature trees - are being preserved as we continue to build the housing our community urgently needs.