The NPUs are being asked to vote on an Administrative Variance Ordinance (Z-25-04) at their February or March meetings.  This is a separate ZONING ordinance, not to be confused with the new Tree Protection Ordinance (TPO), which was submitted at the same time for NPU review. 

We are asking people to vote "No" on this administrative variance ordinance for the following reasons:

1. The current Administrative Variance Ordinance allows a 50% encroachment into any setback—front, side, and rear—to preserve any tree with a diameter at breast height of 6 inches or more.  The saved tree could be as small as a 6 inch pine tree.
   1. Although the City has said they will be revising this ordinance to specify that only side yard setbacks are included and the saved tree must be a priority tree, no substitute administrative ordinance has been forthcoming, and the term "priority tree" only applies if the proposed Tree Ordinance passes.
   2. There are no penalities if the "saved" tree dies anyway, which is all too common on properties in which the construction is close to a tree's critical root zone.
      
      
2. An "administrative" variance means that the variance is granted with no NPU or community reviews like the other variances have and is allowed administratively with the approval of a city arborist.

Key Dates for Administrative Variance Ordinance Vote

A vote will be taken at your February or March NPU meeting—click here to find your NPU and then click on your NPU in the NPU list here to find your next NPU meeting. (Call your NPU to see if they have already voted on the Administrative Variance Ordinance.)

Attend the Zoning Review Board (ZRB) public hearing on March 13, 2025, 6 PM, City Council Chambers on the 2nd floor of City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave.