THIRD COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR ORDINANCE NO. 220961

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Sponsor: Mayor Quinton Lucas

Amending Chapter 88, Code of Ordinances, by enacting new Sections 88-424-01 through 88-424-11, Tree Preservation and Protection, and amending Section 88-810 by adding and inserting definitions applicable to this new code section.

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WHEREAS, this purpose of this legislation is to support and complement other City development requirements, with a focus on achieving baseline tree preservation and total tree canopy on a site, considering the anticipated use and level of development; and

WHEREAS, the intent of this ordinance is to preserve and advance the aesthetic, economic, and environmental benefits of the urban forest, by protecting trees and mitigating any unnecessary removal of trees; and

WHEREAS, trees provide multiple benefits such as stormwater management, runoff infiltration, and air quality improvement that will take replacement trees decades to match, making them critical to retain; and

WHEREAS, a healthy tree canopy cover enhances the City's natural beauty and improves health, safety, and general welfare of Kansas City residents; and

WHEREAS, to further the intent of this ordinance is to preserve and enhance the City's tree canopy cover and ensure that certain criteria are followed including the Urban Forest Master Plan, adopted by City Council Resolution No. 200143 on May 21, 2020, which established a goal of 35 percent tree canopy cover for the City; and this is affirmed by Kansas City's Climate Protection and Resiliency Plan.

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

Section 1. That Chapter 88, Code of Ordinances, is hereby amended by enacting new sections 88-424-01 through 88-424-13, Tree Preservation and Protection to read as follows:

88-424 - TREE PRESERVATION AND PROTECTION

88-424-01 - SCOPE AND PURPOSE
The intent of this section is to preserve and advance the aesthetic, economic, and envi...

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