POULSBO — The City of Poulsbo is updating its development regulations, aka the Comprehensive Plan, and Mayor Becky Erickson plans to propose changes to protect more trees from being removed for development.
Currently, a developer must leave 25 percent of all trees measuring at least 10 inches in diameter; such trees are considered “substantial” trees. She’d like to increase that requirement to 50 percent of all trees at least 6 inches in diameter.
Another possible proposal: Requiring that a tree be planted for every tree removed — no net loss of trees.
Erickson said she’s been concerned about the effects of tree loss on the landscape as well as the environment. Several creeks flow through Poulsbo to Liberty Bay; trees shade and cool streams, and cool water is vital for salmon that are maturing before they head out to sea. Trees absorb storm water and prevent erosion. And, of course, they turn carbon dioxide into oxygen.
Erickson said tree planting and tree retention are included in the city’s landscaping standards and its stormwater manual.
“Some trees are going to get cut down, because we need to provide housing for a growing population,” she said. “But we need to retain as many trees as we can so that we’ll have beautiful, forested neighborhoods 50 years from now.”
She added, “These are my ideas, but the City Council will ultimately decide.”
Cities and counties are required by the state Growth Management Act to adopt and update, with public input, local comprehensive plans that guide planning decisions. A comprehensive plan is a 20-year roadmap for growth and development that reflects the community’s wishes through guiding principles, key goals and topic-specific goals and policies.
The city is kicking off the public input process with an online survey, www.surveymonkey.com/r/poulsboquestionnaire. According to the questionnaire, it takes about 15-20 minutes to complete.
To stay informed throughout the update process, request to be added to the Project Poulsbo 2036 e-notice mailing list, by contacting plan&econ@cityofpoulsbo.com or by calling 360-394-9748.
Flood-prone house could be gone by Halloween
The City of Poulsbo could request bids within a month on the removal of a flood-prone house on 8th Avenue, near Coffee Oasis.
The house, acquired by the city for $1, sits next to an arm of the south fork of Dogfish Creek. The city plan to remove it and restore the stream, and the property will become an extension of Centennial Park. A city-owned house nestled in some woods behind the park will also be removed.
Mayor Becky Erickson said the removals, which will be paid for out of the stormwater fund, have to be approved by the City Council. If all goes well, the homes could be removed “by the end of October, maybe Thanksgiving,” she said.
“We hope to have a Halloween dance there,” she quipped.
