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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2815 Extending Interim Standards for Tree Clearing and PlantingOrdinance No. 2815 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON, RE-ENACTING AND EXTENDING FOR SIX (6) MONTHS ORDINANCE 2799 INTERIM STANDARDS FOR TREE CLEARING AND PLANTING WHEREAS, the City Council on February 25, 2002, adopted Ordinance 2799 establishing interim tree clearing and planting standards to maintain the status quo while the city prepared draft development regulations and conducted the necessary public review process for adopting such tree preservation regulations; and WHEREAS, the City Council on March 25, 2002, held a public hearing concerning Ordinance 2799; and WHEREAS, the City Council authorized the creation of a citizen's advisory committee to assist in the development and public review of a comprehensive tree preservation ordinance; and WHEREAS, the citizen's advisory committee includes individuals representing the following groups: Jefferson County Realtors, Jefferson County Builder's Association, Jefferson Land Trust, a tree service professional, Department of Natural Resources forester, retired Forest Service staff officer, retired Forest Service soil scientist, and a native tree and seed specialist; and WHEREAS, a citizens advisory committee has met five times since its formation in June 2002 and is making progress towards drafting a comprehensive tree preservation ordinance; and WHEREAS, RCW 76.09.240 requires cities and counties to adopt ordinances setting standards for Class IV Forest Practice activities, and WHEREAS, City Building and Community Development staff and the citizen's advisory committee are expecting to deliver a draft comprehensive tree preservation ordinance to City Council within 60 days; WHEREAS, the City Council finds that re-enactment and extension of Ordinance 2799 and the interim tree clearing and planting standards is necessary to allow time for completion of an ordinance that implements the requirement on cities to adopt ordinances setting standards for Class IV Forest Practices activities, and which protect the health and welfare of the City's residents; and WHEREAS, the standards and procedures contained in Ordinance 2799 for interim tree protection should be re-enacted and extended, for an additional six months (or lesser period of time if the Council determines to adopt a final ordinance or repeal the Page I Ord. 2815 interim standards and procedures) to allow completion and consideration to the adoption of a comprehensive tree preservation ordinance. WHEREAS, the City Council held a public hearing on August 19, 2002, and approved a first reading of Ordinance 2815. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON, HEREBY ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Ordinance 2799 adopted February 25, 2002 is hereby re-enacted and adopted by reference as if fully set forth herein and extended for a period of six (6) months from the date this Ordinance is passed. SECTION 2. SEVERABILITY. If any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance should be held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of this Ordinance as a whole, or any other section, provision, or part thereof not adjudicated to be invalid or unconstitutional and its application to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected. SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force five days after the date of its publication in the manner provided by law. Adopted by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend, Washington, at a special meeting thereof, held this 22 day of August, 2002. Attest: Approved as to Form: Pamela Kolacy, CMC, City ~erk John P. Watts, City Attorney Page 2 0rd. 2815