Agenda Date: 09/22/25
Subject:
Title
PC Resolution 10-2025: Recommending Approval to City Council of Code Text Amendments to Title 10, Unified Land Use Code, Regarding the Preservation and Enhancement of the City’s Tree Canopy and the Tree Canopy Loss Rate
Body
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Prepared by: |
Mary Brand Danser, Urban and Community Forestry Program Specialist, Colorado State Forest Service |
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Diana Kamenel Trettin, Manager of Grounds Open Space and Natural Resources |
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Andrea Vaughn, Senior Planner |
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Atasi Titlow, Sr. Assistant City Attorney |
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Presentations: |
Mary Brand Danser, Urban and Community Forestry Program Specialist, Colorado State Forest Service |
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Diana Kamenel Trettin, City of Littleton, Manager of Grounds Open Space and Natural Resources |
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Andrea Vaughn, City of Littleton, Senior Planner |
PURPOSE:
To consider adoption of amendments to the Unified Land Use Code (ULUC) regarding an update to the Tree Canopy and miscellaneous greenscape provisions for the preservation of the City’s tree canopy.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Sustainable Community with Natural Beauty; Environmental Stewardship; High-Quality Governance
DISCUSSION:
Staff will provide a presentation to discuss the proposed amendments to Title 10, Chapter 1, Article 3 regarding greenscape provisions. Staff will put forth an ordinance for recommendation on the Tree Canopy Loss Rate formula and tree canopy coverage on Sept. 22nd, 2025. All other items discussed at the July 14th study session will be put forth to the planning commission at a later date.
BACKGROUND:
In 2023, the City hired a consultant to review Littleton’s general tree ordinance provisions. The consultant identified various areas for improvement to increase the effectiveness of our code, including the following: i) developing a comprehensive and robust tree manual; ii) updating terminology and definitions to ensure clarity and consistency; iii) clarifying permitting procedures and violations to ensure compliance with Littleton’s tree regulations; iv) promoting best practices to preserve the urban forestry; and v) streamlining the review of applications between the Community Development department and the Public Works, Forestry division.
After several stakeholder meetings, which included the City Attorney’s Office, the Public Works & Utilities (Forestry) group, and the Community Development group, staff proposed amendments to Planning Commission on July 14, 2025 within a study session. The proposed amendments touched upon a variety of sections within the Littleton Municipal Code - Title 10, the Unified Land Use Code; Title 8, Public Ways and Property; and Title 3 - Business Regulations.
The Planning Commission provided guidance to City staff on the proposed amendments:
1) Consideration of parameters on the applicability of a proposed Tree Manual;
2) Consideration of consolidating plant materials and trees within one area or section of the Littleton Municipal Code, with cross-references to the Littleton Tree Manual; and
3) Review of the proposed canopy coverage amendments.
Following discussion with staff stakeholders, staff will be presenting a few proposed amendments to the greenscape provisions outlined in Title 10, Chapter 1, Article 1, providing a substantive revision to Section 10-1-3.6.C, Protection and Preservation, Subsection (E), Tree Protection on the reformulation of the Tree Canopy Fee, or Payment in Lieu of Mitigation, and Section 10-1-3.6.E, Tree Canopy Coverage Requirements.
Staff will bring forward additional amendments to the greenscape provisions of the ULUC at a future date, once the Littleton Engineering Design Standards, finalized Tree Manual, and finalized Title 8-4 have been reconciled.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the proposed amendments to Title 10, Chapter 1, Article 3 as outlined in Resolution 10-2025.
ALTERNATIVES:
Planning commission may request revisions to the proposed ordinance or recommend denial of the code text amendments.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve PC Resolution 10- 2025 recommending approval to city council of code text amendments to Title 10 regarding certain greenscape provisions and the tree canopy fee.