Agenda Item Wording:
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Oak Tree Preservation Ordinance Amendment- Second reading and adoption of Ordinance 2025-06 amending Chapter 12.24 of the Visalia Municipal Code Relating to Oak Tree Preservation.
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Prepared by: Zach Huff, Urban Forestry Supervisor 713-4295, zach.huff@visalia.city; Alvin Dias, Parks and Facilities Manager 713-4564, alvin.dias@visalia.city; Jason Glick, Parks and Recreation Director 713-4042, jason.glick@visalia.city
Department Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council conduct the second reading of, and adopt, Ordinance No. 2025-06 amending Chapter 12.24 of the Visalia Municipal Code relating to Oak Tree Preservation.
Summary:
The first reading of Ordinance 2025-06 amending Chapter 12.24 of the Visalia Municipal Code relating to Oak Tree preservation was approved on July 21, 2025 with revisions to the following sections:
1. Section 12.24.030 - Oak Tree Removal Permit Required - Remove the requirement for private property owners to obtain a permit from the City before removing a Valley Oak Tree on their property.
2. Section 12.24.050 - Emergencies - Editing subsection B to clarify that public utilities are not required to obtain a permit from the City to deal with Valley Oak Trees to maintain utility facilities.
3. Amendment of Section 12.24.060 Pruning Notice Required - Replacing the term "person" with "public agency" to clarify that only public agencies are potentially subject to the Valley Oak Tree pruning requirements, not private property owners.
4. Amendment of Section 12.24.100 Public Assistance for Property Owners - Editing subsection A, removing "who has submitted a notice of intent to prune or remove an oak tree" since private property owners will not be required to obtain a notice of intent to prune or remove an oak tree.
If this second reading is approved and Ordinance 2025-06 adopted, it will go into effect thirty days thereafter.
Background Discussion:
As discussed in the staff report pres...
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