HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-03-25 Public Comment - Bozeman Tree Coalition - City Commission, June 3rd meeting, UDC Update_ Urban ForestFrom:BozemanTreeCoalition
To:Bozeman Public Comment; Jennifer Madgic; Joey Morrison; Douglas Fischer; Emma Bode; Terry Cunningham
Cc:Chuck Winn
Subject:[EXTERNAL]City Commission, June 3rd meeting, UDC Update: Urban Forest
Date:Tuesday, June 3, 2025 11:50:50 AM
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Dear Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Commissioners-
We are writing to you today to remind you that, as one of the top 5 areas chosen by the
community, Environment needs to be included in the UDC Update and equally prioritized by
staff in the next phase of code review and revisions.
Based on review of the recent staff reports for Phase II engagement summaries (May 20, June
3) it's becoming less clear if staff intend to review codes in the areas of Environment (sensitive
lands, urban forest) and Neighborhoods (NCOD). Yet, both of these topic areas include
important environmental and urban forest protection codes and guidelines that are part of
Chapter 38 and have been found to be inadequate or difficult to enforce in the past. Now is the
time to revise them. The Bozeman Tree Coalition strongly urges the City Commission to
direct staff to keep these topics prioritized in the UDC Update.
Specifically, the Bozeman Tree Coalition found over 70 references to tree protections alone in
the current UDC draft. Many of these codes require improved text for clarity and
enforceability. We know from experience that environmental protections do not happen
without clear codes. And we know that city plans are not codified. They are overviews and
guidelines that need to be supported with good codes.
Additionally, staff included codes for the community to review in their Phase II Engagement
Chat tool kits for "Open Space, natural areas, parks, urban forest". These codes included, Park
and Recreation Requirements (38.420), Landscaping- which includes urban forest/tree
maintenance codes (38.550), and Watercourse Setbacks (38.410.100).
Finally, the UDC Update is an opportunity to fill in the blanks. Missing from Chapter 38 is a
Tree Ordinance, required by the Arbor Day Foundation for the Tree City, USA designation,
and the inclusion of Trees/Urban Forest as a Natural Resource in Article 6.
For these reasons, please use tonight's work session to confirm the importance of including
Environment and its related UDC codes as a top priority in the UDC update and not let these
long needed environmental protection revisions be downgraded to plans.
Thank you,
The Bozeman Tree Coalition