An updated tree protection bylaw is in the works for the City of Delta.
An initial report by staff is scheduled to come to an upcoming meeting of the Climate and Community Livability Committee prior to a formal bylaw amendment being proposed at city council.
Council last year directed staff to look at updating Delta’s tree bylaw following increasing complaints about lots being clear cut of big trees to make way for new houses.
Some of the proposed changes include requiring more replacement trees when larger trees are cut down and having more large replacement trees, where feasible.
Removing a large diameter tree could result in a two-for-one replacement of big trees.
One of the biggest changes would be the addition of a “significant trees” category.
They are defined as having “significant value to the community because of special characteristics such as size, age, uniqueness of species, uniqueness of ecosystem, or heritage or landmark value.”
The bylaw is part of a new urban forest strategy.
The strategy includes increased planting initiatives by the city that will be funded through greater contributions to a tree reserve.
The actions will see the city plant 3,300 trees annually on municipal streets and boulevards, highways, school district sites, natural areas and even private lands.
That planting plan has an estimated $1.5 million price tag annually.
