From the Bureau of Planning and Sustainabillity:

Residents invited to talk with City staff and Urban Forestry Commissioners about the upcoming proposal to City Council

Open house about the Citywide Tree Project, a citywide project to enhance Portland’s urban forest through regulatory improvement and improved customer service

Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011, 4:30 – 7 p.m.
1900 SW 4th Ave., Suite 2500A

The event is hosted by Bureau of Planning and Sustainability to answer questions about the Tree Project proposal and provide more information to help people prepare for a City Council hearing on Feb. 2, 2011. The proposal will respond to community concerns, enhance the urban forest and support City environmental, social and economic sustainability goals by:
• Consolidating tree regulations under a new single tree code (Title 11, Trees)
• Standardizing and streamlining Portland’s tree permit system and creating a simple permit process for homeowners
• Improving standards for tree preservation and planting when development is proposed
• Improving customer service with a new 24-hour tree hotline, single point of contact for public inquiries, community tree manual, an online tree permit tracking system and neighborhood tree plans

These changes are projected to generate at least 100 more acres of future tree canopy per year through improved tree preservation and planting, and improve the quality and health of Portland’s urban forest.

During the open house we’ll give brief project overviews and field questions from participants. This will be very informal, and drop-ins are welcome anytime between 4:30 and 7 p.m. Drinks and light snacks will be provided.

The Citywide Tree Project proposal includes estimated costs and a proposed budget to fund administration and enforcement of the updated regulations and customer service improvements. A phased implementation strategy is proposed to provide time to develop the tree manual, informational materials and procedures, and to provide public education and staff training before the updated regulations go into effect.

To read the Citywide Tree Project Recommended Draft to City Council, including a new project summary, please go to www.portlandonline.com/bps/treeproject. An updated set of frequently asked questions (FAQ) is also available. If you have trouble accessing the online documents, please request a CD or a set of report documents at the phone number and email address below.

For more information, please call 503.823.7855 or email BPSCTP@portlandoregon.gov.

The City will make reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. Please notify us no fewer than five (5) business days prior to the event by phone at 503-823-7700, by the TTY line at 503-823-6868, or by the Oregon Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.

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About the City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability
The City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) promotes integrated land use planning and development based on sustainability principles and practices. BPS also develops and implements policies and programs that provide environmental, economic and social benefits to residents, businesses and government, which strengthen Portland’s position as an international model of sustainable practices and commerce. www.portlandonline.com/bps