The La Conner Planning Commission brainstormed more ideas on how to improve the tree code Tuesday.
The current code does not apply to trees on residential lots outside the Historic Preservation District. Commissioners Kirill Fortygin, Tracy McCain and Sommer Holt agreed that extending the code to those properties might discourage residents from taking care of their yard because they don’t want to go through the approval process.
Current code requires planting replacement trees following removal, when practical. Commissioners are now looking at establishing tree quotas based on the percentage of tree canopy lost to removal or limbing, with tree canopy calculated by lot. If more than a tree needs to be limbed, mitigation would be based on the combined percentage of lost canopy.
Ornamental trees that need to be regularly styled might be exempt.
Holt suggested basing rules such as canopy thresholds on standards set by organizations like the American National Standards Institute.
Luisa Loi is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.
