Outlook
Community Design & Preservation (CDP) Program CDP-3.5A&B From Amy Likover < >
Date Mon 3/17/2025 11:18 AM
To Lindsay Lara <[email protected]>; Mayor Kate <[email protected]>; Eli Hill <[email protected]>; Maribeth Bushey <[email protected]>; Rachel Kertz <[email protected]>; Maika Llorens Gulati <[email protected]>; Cristine Alilovich <[email protected]>; Jonathan Schellin <[email protected]> To the San Rafael City Council, Mayor Colin
Cc: Lindsay Lara, Clerk, Cristine Alilovich, City Manager; Jonathan Schellin, DPW Deputy Director I am writing to share my thoughts on the Community Design & Preservation (CDP) Program CDP3.5A&B and their implications for our urban canopy in the staff report that you will consider today.
Our group has met with DPW Deputy Director Jonathan Schellin to preview the preliminary data of the street tree inventory. The draft inventory has potential for realizing CDP-3.5A and CPD-3.5B. We are committed to the General Plan's tree policies.
Advancing Urban Tree Canopy: CDP-3.5A (Street Tree Master Plan) and CDP-3.5B (Street Tree Inventory)
The recently completed LIDAR tree inventory is an exciting first step in understanding the value of our urban canopy. However, the study has limitations—it was conducted during a time of year when many trees had shed leaves, meaning the data is incomplete. Our city needs to move to phase two of this project.
To ensure we make the most of this resource, we encourage the city to:
- Invest in validating and refining the LIDAR data to ensure accuracy. - Allocate specific funding to study irrigation potential and long-term tree health. - Identify and prioritize existing tree wells for new plantings to expand our canopy efficiently.
A strong urban tree canopy is crucial for mitigating heat, improving air quality, and enhancing community resilience. I urge the council to dedicate the necessary resources to strengthen and expand this effort.
[Refer to C-1.16 and C-1.16A below]
City of San Rafael General Plan
Policy C-1.16:
Urban Forestry Protect, maintain, and expand San Rafael’s tree canopy.
Trees create shade, reduce energy costs, absorb runoff, support wildlife, create natural beauty, and absorb carbon, making them an essential and valued part of the city’s landscape and strategy to address global climate change.
Tree planting and preservation should be coordinated with programs to reduce fire hazards, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, expand solar opportunities, and ensure public safety, resulting in a community that is both green and fire-safe.
3/17/25, 11:37 AM Mail - Lindsay Lara - Outlook
https://outlook.office365.com/mail/inbox/id/AAMkAGE4NDc2ZDVlLWQxMTYtNDBiOC04NTI0LTRjYTQzNTJlMTJkMQBGAAAAAAAyY1qsYIBjQ6ajfUyz… 1/2 Program C-1.16A: Increasing the Tree Canopy. Implement measures to increase the tree canopy, as outlined in the City’s Climate Change Action Plan.
These measures include: a) tree planting on City-owned land b) reviewing parking lot landscaping standards to maximize tree cover c) minimizing tree removal d) controlling invasive species that threaten the health of the urban forest e) integrating trees and natural features into the design of development projects f) encouraging trees on private property g) increasing the diversity of trees to increase habitat value and resilience h) emphasizing the use of native tree species, where appropriate, given their adaptability to local conditions and increased importance to native wildlife.
Program C-1.16B: Tree City USA. Maintain San Rafael’s status as a “Tree City USA” community by following best practices in urban forestry management and regularly applying for recertification.
Thank you for your time and consideration. We appreciate your commitment to making San Rafael a healthier, more sustainable city.
Yours truly,
Amy Likover, Chair
San Rafael Tree Group
3/17/25, 11:37 AM Mail - Lindsay Lara - Outlook
https://outlook.office365.com/mail/inbox/id/AAMkAGE4NDc2ZDVlLWQxMTYtNDBiOC04NTI0LTRjYTQzNTJlMTJkMQBGAAAAAAAyY1qsYIBjQ6ajfUyz… 2/2