The Tacoma City Council voted on Tuesday to direct the City Manager and Planning Commission to advance a phased set…

The Tacoma City Council voted on Tuesday to direct the City Manager and Planning Commission to advance a phased set of actions aimed at creating a thriving urban forest in Tacoma by expanding the City's Urban Forestry Program and advancing implementation of the Urban Forestry Management Plan. This work is the result of Council direction to the Infrastructure, Planning, and Sustainability Committee to initiate a broader policy discussion regarding the City's urban forest in November 2024.

A thriving urban forest is a fundamental component of healthy, resilient, and livable communities. Tree cover and urban landscaping play a major role in supporting urban wildlife, reducing stormwater runoff, filtering pollution, and reducing the urban heat island effect. Trees also contribute to the aesthetic environment, providing an attractive urban setting to enhance livability and foster economic development.

"This resolution marks a vital step toward a greener, healthier Tacoma by advancing a phased approach to expand our Urban Forestry Program," said Mayor Victoria Woodards. "These actions will strengthen our urban forest and improve quality of life across our city. I am grateful to our Infrastructure, Planning, and Sustainability Committee members for their leadership and vision in bringing this forward."

"This is an exciting day for Tacoma and our community," said Council Member Kristina Walker. "Our residents have shared in countless formats that creating a thriving urban forest is important to them and today we have laid the groundwork for progress. Trees provide so many benefits to our community-from reducing flood damage to serving as a form of public health infrastructure that can help reduce feelings of stress and depression, protect against skin cancer, and foster a sense of community. This phased approach factors in the time required to advance actions for our budget process and meet legal requirements, such as working with the Planning Commission. While this is an inherently long process, it will provide the Council with vital information, enabling us to make clear-eyed decisions regarding our urban forest. This resolution reflects a collaborative effort with the community and Planning Commission, and I'm looking forward to continuing those partnerships in our next steps."

The phased set of actions approved in the resolution include options for expanding grants for depaving and tree planting, the development of fiscal impact notes regarding options to expand City maintenance of trees in the right-of-way, and the study of new land use and development regulations by the Planning Commission regarding tree canopy management and preservation. This work begins immediately and will extend into late 2027.

"The City Council has a unique opportunity to dig into how it will balance the desire for more trees in our city with the need for additional housing development and broader City budget constraints," said Council Member John Hines. "These next steps will help provide the City Council with a more robust understanding of new options and ideas for how to protect and enhance our tree canopy. Most importantly, this process will give City staff and the City Council the time and space needed to address a topic that is of high interest to many people in our community."

"Today, we solidified the framework that will help Tacoma plant and protect more trees. I'm excited for this needed framework to achieve increased tree canopy and cleaner air to breath today and for future generations," said Council Member Olgy Diaz. "This resolution directs how the City will revamp its tree program, create enforcement systems, and identify revenue sources to grow a robust and thriving tree canopy in Tacoma."

"This resolution creates a path to addressing the pressing concerns heard from community and paves the way to a modern approach to tree management and retention," said Council Member Sandesh Sadalge. "I'm really excited to further develop the City's approach to balancing the critical need for housing with the need for a vibrant environment. I'm also excited to explore how we approach tree retention in certain areas to enhance the environmental health of critical watersheds."