Cupertino officials looking into changes to city’s protected tree ordinance

The city of Cupertino is looking at possible changes to how protected trees are removed from private property. The city council held a lengthy study session Nov. 5 to discuss the matter and give city staff some clues on tinkering with the city's protected tree ordinance.

The city council and staff will look at possible changes, including the list of protected trees--which native trees and which tree sizes are on the list--and making a tree removal violation an infraction instead of a misdemeanor.

Last month, the council asked staff to look into reviewing the city's protected tree ordinance, which has not been updated or amended since 2007. At that time, the council was concerned about the reported illegal removal of protected trees without proper city review and permits.

A permit is required for the complete removal or severe pruning of heritage trees or specimen trees, including native oak trees, California buckeye, big leaf maple, deodar cedar, blue atlas cedar, bay laurel, California bay and Western sycamore.

The city has a number of options on how to proceed, including increasing or decreasing regulations in some or all different types of residential zones. If the ordinance is amended, the city would be subject to the California Environmental Quality Act and some level of environmental review will depend on the scope of the amendment, according to a city staff report.

City staff conducted a survey

A few public speakers at the Nov. 5 study session said they'd like the city to keep trees protected.

"I think it's a good ordinance. I'm very, very proud of the ordinance the city of Cupertino has for protetcted trees, trees in general. Most modern cities in Silicon Valley have tree ordinances," said Jennifer Griffin, a resident of Rancho Rinconada.

In 2007, the council was looking for ways to encourage property owners to get tree removal permits from city hall before removing protected trees and not resorting to removing trees illegally. The council looked to increase penalties on protected trees that were being removed without permits.

In 2007, the council changed the ordinance to allow the city's community development director to approve removal of protected trees. Previously, approval was required by the city's planning commission for all trees.

Continue reading here:
Cupertino officials looking into changes to city's protected tree ordinance