REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Waive First Reading and take Action on the Introduction of the Ordinance Amending Chapter 12.35 "Trees and Shrubs" of the Code of the City of Santa Clara to Incorporate New Best Practices and Regulations to Preserve the Urban Forest
Report
COUNCIL PILLARS
Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure, and Promote Sustainability and Environmental Protection
BACKGROUND
Urban forests are dynamic ecosystems that provide critical benefits to people and wildlife in our community. They help to filter air and water, control storm water, conserve energy, increase property values and provide animal habitats.
As trees grow, they help combat climate change by removing carbon dioxide, a powerful greenhouse gas, from the air, storing carbon in the leaves and soil, and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. Updating the existing Trees and Shrubs ordinance would help protect and expand our current urban forest and align with the policies in the City's Climate Action Plan.
Santa Clara City Code Chapter 12.35 - Trees and Shrubs regulates the planting, maintenance, protection, and removal of trees in the City. This chapter of the Code was originally adopted in 1960 and currently it does not adequately incorporate updated urban forestry standards, including several best practices and procedures in tree maintenance. In addition, nature-based solutions, such as tree plantings and vegetation management, have been widely identified as a key component to a balanced climate action strategy and should be reflected in our City Code to align with the City's Climate Action Plan. The City of Santa Clara 2010 - 2035 General Plan identifies preservation of all City-designated Heritage Trees, none of which are referenced in the Code. The Arbor Day Foundation has recognized the City of Santa Clara as a Tree City USA for 34 consecutive years and given the City a Growth Award the last 21 consecutive years. The Arbor Day Foundation has iden...
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