As part of its regular business the Poulsbo City Council passed an update to the city clearing and grading ordinance on Wednesday.

The Poulsbo Municipal Code (PMC) 15.35 was last updated in 1995 and has had few amendments over the years until now. The update to the PMC separates the grading portion of the code into its own chapter 15.40. It also adds tree cutting to the clearing portion of the ordinance.

“The purpose of the tree cutting and clearing ordinance is to regulate the cutting of trees, help preserve the wooded character of Poulsbo, promote and protect the public interest by regulating alteration of land and enhance the city’s aesthetic character,” said Nikole Coleman an associate planner for the Planning and Economic Development Committee.

“All while recognizing circumstances, such as development, disease and danger that may require the removal of trees,” added Coleman.

According to Coleman, Charlie Roberts, an engineering technician with Public Works was instrumental in developing the purpose for the grading ordinance, which clarifies why the two should be separate entities in the code.

“The purpose of the grading ordinance is again to promote and protect the public interest. As well promote prompt construction, restoration and planting to protect properties from erosion. Control sedimentation and water quality, minimizing impactful runoff and promote safety on private and public property,” said Coleman.

This update was initiated to reformat the existing ordinance to be consistent with recent updates to the city and other land development ordinances.

The Planning and Economic Development committee believe that this will ease the administration of this ordinance for both private citizens and city staff. A hand out with all the new information will be distributed to the public in the coming weeks.