Urban Tree Canopy Policy in the Comprehensive Plan Update
Kate Lunceford | Published on 11/1/2023
Yes, you did! it! Thanks to hundreds of you who responded to Action Alerts in support of the Urban Tree Canopy Policy (UTC)! And thanks to the dozens who testified at the Snohomish County Planning Commission hearing on October 24th. We heard stories about grandchildren, heartbreak over lost trees, the power of trees to heal, the money to be saved by trees and more. The community came to the Commission to ask that the policy be recommended to the County Council without amendments that would weaken it.
While LWVSC initiated the UTC Policy, we could not have gotten this far without advice from Kristin Kelly of Futurewise, supportive Council Members, and stellar staff in the Planning Department. The policy has been redrafted to be consistent with state requirements as well as with countywide planning policies and multicounty planning policies presented in the Puget Sound Regional Council’s VISION 2050. You can see the evolution of the policy in this "Briefing Staff Report." You may like to look at the goals and policies in "Attachment A – Policy Table."
The Planning Commission will vote on the policy in November. The County Council will consider the policy in 2024. Stay in the saddle! And thanks again!