Responsible Department: Planning and Community Development
Lead Staff: Kelly Dickson
Additional Assistance: Stephen Morse, Libby Hudson, Heather Beckmann, Community Forestry Commission.
In coordination with the Community Forestry Commission, the City of Bainbridge Island Department of Planning & Community Development has initiated a project to consolidate the tree and vegetation management related regulations within the existing land use code. The project will also focus on incorporating the recommendations of the Community Forest Management Plan (CFMP) into the new code.
In 2006, the City Council accepted the City of Bainbridge Island Community Forest Management Plan (CFMP) as the City’s policy document for management of its trees and forests. One of the priorities of the CFMP is the revision and consolidation of forest and vegetation management regulations in the City’s Municipal Code. These code revisions are critical to support sustainable forest conditions and will support other elements of the City’s urban forestry program. The CFMP is available on the Community Forestry Commission’s website by clicking here.
Why Do the Tree Regulations Need Updating?
Tree and vegetation management regulations are currently scattered among four code chapters, resulting in inconsistency in content and in application. The code also needs to better reflect the policies set forth in the Community Forest Management Plan; updating and expanding these policies can strengthen the community’s goals of enhancing open and green spaces and protecting island water supplies while offering multiple options for sustainable growth.
What is the Process?
The proposed timeline is below. This schedule is tentative and is subject to change based on public hearing schedules.
- Initial Review & Diagnosis (click here) during this initial phase of the project, initial concerns and issues regarding tree and vegetation management and retention will be identified. A public meeting will be held in September to discuss the project and the Diagnosis. Completed: September 2008
- Draft Chapter Outline (click
here for the document): based on the initial review and diagnosis, a draft outline of the proposed ordinance was created for review and comment. Completed: October 2008.
- Draft Chapter (click
here for the document): based on input from the outline, a draft version of the Forest, Vegetation, and Landscape Management chapter will be created. Completed: April 2008.
- Final Draft: based on input from the Land Use Committee, public, and staff, a Final Draft will be created.
- Ordinance Adoption: Planning Commission study sessions and public hearing will be held prior to City Council review. This page will be updated when the pbulic hearing schedule is finalized.
How Can You Get Involved?
The project will include a strong public involvement component, with regular updates at Land Use Committee meetings, periodic printed and electronic updates, and other communication tools. In addition to this web page, the City has established a notification list, including convenient email distribution through the City’s
email listserv.
Please contact the project managers if you have questions or would like further information:
Kelly Dickson, Special Projects Planner, 206-780-3725
