Administrative
Report
H.12., File # 23-5478 Meeting Date: 2/7/2023
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: TED SEMAAN, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
TITLE
INTRODUCE BY TITLE ONLY ORDINANCE NO. 3251-23, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA ADDING CHAPTER 11 TO TITLE 5,
OF THE REDONDO BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE, ESTABLISHING A TREE PROTECTION AND
PRESERVATION LAW, FOR INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Per direction provided by the City Council on January 17, 2023, staff is recommending for introduction and first reading an ordinance to regulate and protect trees on public property. The Council previously considered having the ordinance apply to both public and private property, but ultimately decided to not regulate trees on private property. Notable components of the Ordinance include documentation of existing procedures for protecting public property trees, requirements for removed trees to be replaced with trees of significant size, processes for requests to remove trees, protection of trees during construction activities and significant financial penalties for unauthorized tree removals. It should be noted that implementation of the proposed Ordinance would allow the City to apply for designation as a “Tree City USA” from the Arbor Day Foundation.
BACKGROUND
On January 17, 2023, the City Council reviewed a draft of an ordinance to regulate and protect trees on both public and private property. Concern had been expressed that the City’s urban forest is being compromised by the widespread removal of trees. The Council ultimately decided to not regulate trees on private property and directed staff to return with an ordinance that only addresses trees on public property for introduction and first reading. The background, landmark dates and public comments leading to the introduction of the ordinance are available at this link ( <https://redondo.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=5994532&GUID=B92EF3A5-BB2F-4500- 8103-7961D0081F02>) with a copy of the Administrative Report, item N.2 from the January 17, 2023 agenda <https://redondo.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=5994532&GUID=B92EF3A5-BB2F4500-8103-7961D0081F02> attached.
Attached for introduction and first reading is an ordinance revised per the Council’s direction, which includes the following notable components:
- Documentation of the City’s goal to preserve and grow tree canopies and preserve and protect public trees as much as possible
- Documentation of the procedures currently employed by the Public Works Department to
H.12., File # 23-5478 Meeting Date: 2/7/2023
- Documentation of the procedures currently employed by the Public Works Department to preserve and protect public trees
- Clarification that public trees may only be trimmed or removed by the City or agents (contractors) authorized and directed by the City
- Requests for removal of public property trees are reviewed by the Public Works Department - Removals are only approved as a last resort, when no other alternatives are available - An appeal process whereby property owners can seek to overturn administrative tree removal decisions through review by the Public Works Commission - One-to-one replacement of removed parkway trees, with minimum 24-inch box trees - Justification for removal of public property trees is limited to poor tree health that can’t be rectified, damage or potential damage to infrastructure caused by the tree or presence of a tree-related safety hazard that can’t be mitigated One-to-one replacement of removed parkway trees, with minimum 24-inch box trees
- Establishment of protection zones around trees during construction If approved, staff will return for second reading of the Ordinance on February 21, 2023.
COORDINATION
This item was coordinated by the Public Works Department, the Community Development Department and the City Attorney’s Office. The City Attorney’s Office prepared the Ordinance.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Tree Ordinance as currently drafted, if implemented, would not incur any new City costs, as the Public Works Department has funding to regularly install parkway trees and maintain a parkway tree database.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
· Ord - Tree Ordinance adding Chapter 11 to Title 5 of the Redondo Beach Municipal Code - First Reading
· Administrative Report - City Council, January 17, 2023