TheCambridge Record
Agenda Items ▸ Policy Orders

POR 2020-264

Enclosed amendments to the Tree Protection Ordinance be adopted to extend the temporary prohibition on tree cutting permits until February 28, 2021

carries proposed ordinance language: lawmaking starts here, but only ordination makes it law
How it started
Nov 16, 2020 · Proposed by Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui, and Councillors Sobrinho-Wheeler and Nolan: a formal request from the Council to the administration.
What happened
Nov 16, 2020 · Passed to a second reading, 7–1
View the roll call

Voted yes (7)

  • Dennis Carlone
  • Patty Nolan
  • Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler
  • Alanna Mallon
  • Marc McGovern
  • Sumbul Siddiqui
  • Quinton Zondervan

Voted no (1)

  • Timothy J. Toomey

Did not vote (1)

  • E. Denise Simmons
Seated that day per the council roster, but not in the city's roll call for this vote.
Nov 30, 2020 · ⚖️ Became law, 7–1. The Council ordained the amendments over one councillor's objection. (Ordained · one not recorded)
View the roll call

Voted yes (7)

  • Dennis Carlone
  • Patty Nolan
  • Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler
  • Alanna Mallon
  • Marc McGovern
  • Sumbul Siddiqui
  • Quinton Zondervan

Voted no (1)

  • Timothy J. Toomey

Did not vote (1)

  • E. Denise Simmons

The roll call records 8 of the 9 seated members (roster: 2020–21 term). The clerk's record does not state whether Councillor Simmons was absent or abstaining on this vote.

From the city’s record · photos: City of Cambridge
What’s next
Entered the Municipal Code: became law as ordained in November 2020. The Code can be amended at any time; its current text is the authority on what’s in force today.
The document Agenda item attachment · 3 pages
🏛 This item on the city's site📄 Download original PDF

For any significant tree removal not subject to Section 8.66.050, a permit will be required from the City Arborist. In all cases, the City Arborist shall keep a record of the type and size of tree removed, the reason for the removal, photographs of the tree documenting the reason for removal, the date, the contractor(s) involved, and the name and address of the property owner.

No such permits will be issued until February 28, 2021 December 31, 2020 or sooner by further amendment to this section, except for emergency circumstances, significant utility infrastructure projects undertaken pursuant to State or Federal regulations or programs, for City park projects, or where a tree poses significant negative impact to an adjacent existing structure, or for dead or dangerous trees, or where a lot is of such density with existing trees that the removal of certain significant trees is considered beneficial to the health of the tree canopy.

Any tree removed in violation of this section, prior to February 28, 2021 December 31, 2020, shall require a payment into the tree replacement fund as per Section 8.66.070 according to a schedule as follows: Ten percent (10%) of the replacement value for property owners who qualify for the City of Cambridge residential real property tax exemption, no fee for property owners that receive established forms of financial assistance, and the full replacement cost in all other circumstances.

The value to be paid into the tree replacement fund shall be equivalent to the cost of purchasing, planting, watering and maintaining said Replacement Trees for a period of not less than five years. ORDERED That the city manager communicate this extension to the residents and property owners of the City of Cambridge as done previously.

In City Council November 30, 2020. Ordained by Yeas 7; Nays 1; Absent 0, Present 1. Attest:- Anthony I. Wilson, City Clerk

A true copy;

ATTEST:- Anthony I. Wilson, City Clerk

History: 11/16/20

City Council

PASSED TO A SECOND READING

Next: 11/23/20 11/23/20

City Council

NO ACTION TAKEN

Next: 11/30/20

🗓 The meeting where this was taken up: Nov 16, 2020