CLEARLAKE – The Clearlake Planning Commission is due this week to give final approval to a resolution that encourages the city to adopts regulations extending special protection to native trees, including heritage oaks.

The Planning Commission will meet Tuesday beginning at 6 p.m. at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

The commission's resolution is accompanied by a 10-page draft ordinance adding a section to the municipal code that protects the trees.

In the Clearlake Vision Task Force's final report, which the Clearlake City Council accepted in a special Aug. 29 meeting, the task force stated in the report's preamble the need for a tree protection and replacement program.

“The very first resource the Task Force identified as sacred were the oak trees,” said report states.

Ultimately, the group recommended the creation of a tree ordinance to protect both native oaks and laurel trees, with permits required for the trees' removal. Other recommendations included a 3-to-1 replacement ratio for trees on a particular site or, if that wasn't possible, a 4-to-1 replacement ratio off-site; efforts to retain existing walnut trees; and “substantial penalties” for illegal removal of protected trees.

Since then, the Planning Commission has taken up the issue, and on Thursday, Dec. 6, the commission is slated to approve sending the draft tree protection ordinance to the City Council.

Neiman's report states that a draft ordinance covering tree protection was crafted by planning consultant Melissa Floyd, who also does projects for the county.

Under the proposed ordinance, native blue oaks, valley oaks, interior live oaks, California black oaks, canyon live oaks and Oregon white oaks, along with California bay laurels, would require tree protection and tree removal permits. In addition, the City Council could designate certain “landmark trees” for reasons including historical interest, age and distinctive appearance.

When considering an application to remove a tree, the city will retain an arborist – at the applicant's expense – to determine if the tree is sick or disease and if it should be removed.

Permits to remove the trees must be approved by the planning and community development director, the draft ordinance states.

For each protected tree that is felled or removed, three replacement trees of the same species must be planted within 12 months by the person who applied to have the protected tree removed, according to the draft ordinance.

Violating the ordinance, according to the draft document, could result in a base fine of $1,000 plus $250 per inch of the tree's diameter.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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