During its Nov. 8 meeting, the city of Kirkland’s Planning Commission considered potential amendments to the Kirkland tree code.

The potential tree code amendments that will be under consideration during the meeting are derived from months of community outreach, research and an extensive tree canopy assessment. Some of the significant changes being considered include:

– Designate and protect trees of merit/trees worthy of retention

– Improve tree protection, inspections, and code enforcement on development sites

– Require tree retention decisions to be made early in the design process for short plat/subdivisions, rather than allowing tree removal with each development phase

– Limit the practice of tree removal conducted in anticipation of development permit submittal

– Promote tree diversity

– Revise the code so it is more prescriptive, with more predictable outcomes

Detailed information regarding the project’s research and outreach phase can be found at www.kirklandwa.gov/treecodeupdates.

To date, more than 175 community members have contributed comments at a variety of public engagement opportunities to inform the recommendations under consideration. There are still a number of opportunities for community members to provide feedback on the tree code, including at the City Council meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 20 and the joint Planning Commission/Houghton Community Council meeting on Nov. 26.

Public comment can also be submitted by email to PlanningCommissioners@kirklandwa.gov or to Deb Powers, urban forester, at dpowers@kirklandwa.gov.