Title
Resolution in Support of Expanding the City’s Tree Protection to Include Heritage Trees
Memorandum
Staff
Prepared by: Emily Drennen, Sustainability Analyst
Prepared by: The Natural Features Working Group of the Environmental Commission
Body
Whereas, It has come to the attention of the Environmental Commission that it would be wise to add better protection for larger, important, significant, and champion trees, our “Heritage Trees,” in Ann Arbor’s site planning process;
Whereas These trees provide especially strong benefits for carbon sequestration, increased shade, higher property values, and greater aesthetic character;
Whereas, The City already does protect Landmark trees in the site planning process, which generally are those over 8” in diameter;
Whereas, Adjustments to provide greater protection for “Heritage Trees” would involve relatively easy adjustments to the Landmark Tree List, to definitions and to language in various sections of the City’s Universal Development Code;
Whereas, The Natural Features Working Group has begun to draft such changes;
Whereas, Support from City Staff will be needed to accomplish the drafting of code changes, shepherding them through the City’s process at the Environmental Commission, the Planning Commission, the Legal Department, and the Council;
Resolved, The Environmental Commission requests the City Council to request City Staff to support this effort as needed.