Meeting Summary
Present: Gilman, Mang, Rule, Whitman · Absent: Lang
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At a glance
Tree Ordinance Review
- Staff reviewed existing protections for oaks, sycamores, and heritage trees designated in 2013.
- Challenges identified include undefined terms and consistency in permit reviews for mature tree removal.
- Proposals included employing third-party arborists for objective report assessments.
- Funding discussions covered utilizing Measure C for enforcement and potential staff enhancements.
Fire Safety Coordination
- Fire officials highlighted the need to balance tree protection with fire hazard reduction standards.
- Discussions addressed California Zone Zero regulations regarding clearance requirements near structures.
- The Council explored exempting fire safety pruning from fees while maintaining oversight permits.
- Potential incentives such as low-interest loans or chipper days were suggested for hazard mitigation.
Ordinance Process Timeline
- Staff outlined a three-step process beginning with a concept review in the summer.
- Revised ordinance readings are scheduled for presentation and final adoption in future sessions.
- Plans include developing a city website landing page for educational materials and resources.
Meeting Schedule Adjustment
- The Council agreed to adjust the start time of the upcoming special meeting to 6:00 p.m.
- This change accommodates scheduling conflicts with a School District presentation.
- The adjusted agenda will include items regarding the pool and Serrazate Playground RFP.
Full summary
Meeting Summary: Ojai City Council Special Meeting
- Date: Thursday, May 28th Location: Ojai City Council Chambers Subject: Special Workshop on Tree Ordinance and Fire Safety
Attendees
- Roll call was taken. Present were the Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem Gilman, Council Member Mang, Council Member Rule, and Council Member Whitman. Council Member Lang was absent. Staff present included Community Development Director Lucas, Community Development Director Ben (Speaker 08), Fire Chief (Speaker 10), and Assistant Fire Marshal (Speaker 03). Several members of the public attended to provide comment.
Staff Report and Workshop Discussion
- Community Development Director Lucas presented a staff report regarding the existing Tree Ordinance. The presentation outlined the ordinance's purpose to protect oak varieties, sycamores, and heritage trees designated in 2013. Key elements of the current process include:
- Permit Requirements: Permits are required for removal or relocation of mature trees (defined as over 12 inches in diameter at 4.5 feet above the root crown). Permits are also required for work within the drip line of protected trees or removal of more than 25% of a canopy.
- Application Process: Applications include site plans, photographs, and an arborist report. There is a fixed fee of $225.
- Review and Decision: Applications are reviewed by Community Development for private property or Public Works for public right-of-way. The Director makes the decision (approve, approve with conditions, or deny). Decisions involving five or more trees, or unusual circumstances, are forwarded to the Planning Commission. An appeal period of 10 days is available.
- Enforcement: Penalties may include misdemeanors or fines (often double fees) and replacement requirements. Staff noted citations are rare.
- Identified Challenges: Staff highlighted challenges regarding undefined terms (e.g., "hazardous tree," "certified tree professional"), consistency in review, public awareness, processing timelines, and managing canopy loss as trees are removed without replacement.
- Director Lucas proposed employing a third-party arborist to review reports to ensure objective assessment. Staff discussed utilizing Measure C funds for enforcement, education, and potential staff capacity enhancements, such as a staff arborist or contracted reviews.
Fire Safety and Compliance Discussion
- The Fire Chief and Assistant Fire Marshal joined the discussion regarding the intersection of tree protection and fire safety.
- Fire Hazards: The Chief cited a recent incident involving a tree falling and causing injury to underscore the need for health checks.
- Fire Hazard Reduction Program (FHRP): Standards include limbing trees within 100 feet of structures and maintaining clearance from roofs and eaves.
- Zone Zero: Staff and Fire Department officials discussed California’s Zone Zero regulations. It was noted that while requirements are pending, misconceptions exist regarding mandatory tree removal versus maintenance. Current requirements specify 3 feet of clearance, with potential future adjustments to 5 or 10 feet.
- Coordination: The Council discussed harmonizing the Tree Ordinance with State fire regulations. Suggestions were made to exempt fire safety-related pruning from fees while maintaining permitting for oversight.
- Incentives: Discussion included potential financial assistance, low-interest loans, or chipper days to assist homeowners with fire mitigation and hazardous tree removal.
Public Comment
- Public comment was provided by several residents. Key points included:
- Economic Incentives: One speaker suggested ensuring incentives are aligned with fire ecology goals and avoiding penalties for fire risk reduction.
- Risk Assessment: A landscape architect noted the subjectivity of hazard assessments and potential unintended consequences of stricter ordinances, such as discouraging tree planting due to future permit burdens.
- Public Works: Comments were made regarding the management of public right-of-way trees and County Parks, suggesting better communication between agencies.
- Contractor Oversight: A Council member raised concerns regarding unlicensed or unidentified workers performing tree work, suggesting requirements for business license identification on vehicles and homeowner presence during work.
- Fire Safety Education: Suggestions were made to provide clearer lists of high-risk tree species and educational materials similar to those available in Santa Barbara and Berkeley.
- Ordinance Amendments: Comments included support for specific guidelines on tree planting locations (distance from structures) and enforcement factors for repeat violations.
Next Steps
- Staff outlined a proposed three-step process for future action: 1. Concept Review: A review of all discussions to be presented in the summer (July-August timeframe) summarizing potential ordinance changes, programmatic actions, and budgetary needs. 2. First Reading: Presentation of the first reading of a revised ordinance. 3. Second Reading: Presentation of the second reading for final adoption.
- Staff also noted plans to develop a landing page on the city website to host educational materials and resources regarding the ordinance and fire safety.
Administrative Items
- A proposal was made to adjust the start time of the special City Council meeting scheduled for June 2nd to 6:00 p.m., rather than 5:00 p.m., due to scheduling conflicts with a School District presentation. The Council agreed to the time adjustment. The June 2nd agenda will include a pool item and a Serrazate Playground RFP item, followed by a closed session.
Decisions and Votes
- This meeting was held as a workshop to gather information; no motion was moved or seconded regarding the Tree Ordinance during this session. No vote was taken on the ordinance. The Council agreed to proceed with the concept review process and accepted the schedule adjustment for the June 2nd meeting.