RES 2006-11 HERITAGE TREE PROGRAMCity of Bainbridge Island
Resolution 2006-11
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL CREATING AND SETTING FORTH
THE HERITAGE TREE PROGRAM FOR THE CITY OF BAINBRIDGE ISLAND
WHEREAS, Goal CUL 6.3 of the Comprehensive Plan of the City of Bainbridge
Island states that the City should "Adopt guidelines that will identify and preserve
historic and cultural resources, farmland, forests and open spaces;" and
WHEREAS, Goal CF 1.6 states that "Activities that enhance the community's
awareness of the value of trees and a community forest should be encouraged;" and
WHEREAS, trees are one of the principal components of the City's character and
sense of place; and
WHEREAS, the Community Forestry Commission recommends the
establishment of this HERITAGE TREE PROGRAM to encourage retention of
exceptional trees in the community,
THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF BAINBRIDGE ISLAND,
WASHINGTON, DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The purpose of the HERITAGE TREE PROGRAM shall be to accomplish the
following:
A. Increase public awareness of trees in general;
B. Draw attention to and protect those trees that are unique examples of genus,
species or cultivar, form, size or other desirable features;
C. Provide publicity for increased awareness of the purpose and activities of the
City of Bainbridge Island and the Community Forestry Commission;
D. Encourage public participation in the identification and perpetuation of
HERITAGE TREES throughout the City.
Section 2. The definition of "HERITAGE TREE" is a tree or stand of trees that is
particularly desirable because it has valued, unique characteristics that set it apart from
other similar trees. Valued, unique characteristics include uncommon genus, species,
cultivar, fornl, size, or location, historic, cultural, or habitat significance; or other
desirable features.
Section 3. The process for nomination shall be as follows:
A. Any individual interested in identifying and preserving heritage trees may
nominate a tree or trees on any Bainbridge Island property for "HERITAGE"
status.
B. The City Council may nominate a tree or stand of trees on City property for
Heritage Tree status.
C. Heritage tree nominations shall be submitted to the Community Forestry
Commission on forms provided by the City.
D. The nomination shall include (1) a description of the tree nominated; (2) the
characteristics that merit the tree being designated for heritage tree status,
including the history of the tree, if known; (3) a photograph of the tree; and (4) a
map locating the tree.
E. The owner of the property on which the nominated tree is located shall agree to
the nomination by signing the consent statement on the nominating form.
F. The owner of the property on which the nominated tree is located must agree in
writing to allow the tree to be placed on a City map of Heritage Trees and for the
City to install a plaque or other appropriate identification (1) selected by the City
with concurrence of the owner and (2) paid for and installed by the City.
G. To inform fixture property owners, the owner of the property will be encouraged
to record a notice to title indicating the location of the Heritage Tree on the
property.
H. Upon recommendation by the Community Forestry Commission, the Council may
remove designation of any tree as a Heritage Tree if it finds that such designation
is no longer appropriate.
Section 4. The authority and process for designation of Heritage Trees shall be as
follows:
A. The Community Forestry Commission shall consider Heritage Tree nominations
at their regular monthly meetings, using the Heritage Tree Designation Guidance
Document to make their determination. No tree may be given Heritage Tree
status unless a quorum of Commission members discuss and vote in favor of the
Heritage Tree nomination.
B. Criteria to be considered by the Forestry Commission for recommending a
nomination for Heritage Tree status shall include the following:
i. The tree(s) nominated shall be a specimen tree that exhibits exceptional
characteristics worthy of standards for such trees in the City.
ii. The tree nominated shall exhibit unique features that are notable (e.g.,
unique specimen of a genus, species, form, size, location, or significant
historical, cultural, or habitat features).
iii. The owner of the tree agrees in writing to the "Heritage" designation of
the tree and has complied with the nomination steps set forth above in
Section 3.
C. All heritage trees will be identified and recorded in a register maintained by the
Community Forestry Commission.
D. Notice of all trees identified as heritage trees by the Community Forestry
Commission shall be forwarded to the Mayor. All designated trees, including
names of the nominator and the property owner, will then be acknowledged in a
Mayoral Proclamation at a City Council meeting.
Section 5. The City will provide the owner with a professional arborist's assessment of
the health of the tree and recommendations for maintaining the tree according to accepted
pruning and care standards.
Section 6. A Heritage Tree or stand of trees is retained by the property owner and does
not become the property or responsibility of the City. The property owner is responsible
for all maintenance and liability issues pertaining to the tree or trees. Prior to removal of
a Heritage Tree., a property owner must consult with the Community Forestry
Commission. However, a Heritage Tree designation does not prohibit a property owner
from developing a property and/or removing the Heritage Tree or trees subject to the
City's Tree Retention Regulations. If a property owner removes a Heritage Tree or stand
of trees, the plaque or identification marker shall be returned to the City.
PASSED by the City Council this 22nd day of 2006.
APPROVED by the Mayor this 23rd day of 2006.
u
Darlene Kordonowy, Mayor
ATTYST/AUTHENTICATE
Sue Kasper, City Clerk
FILEDWITH THE CITY CLERK: February 15, 2006
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: February 22, 2006
RESOLUTION NUMBER: 2006-11