Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Olympia Planning Commission is exploring a new policy to discourage clear-cutting of trees during new construction projects and to fund replanting efforts.
The discussion took place at the commission's meeting on Monday, Aug. 4, where commissioners reviewed the Climate Element chapter of the city's 2045 Comprehensive Plan.
Reflecting on public comments, Commissioner Aaron Sauerhoff raised the idea that all new construction projects should fund tree replanting.
"When I drive past a big, clear-cut area, my heart sinks. The loss of biological diversity and habitat is devastating on projects like that, and it has a big impact on our local climate," Sauerhoff said.
He went on to suggest that, rather than a blanket requirement, the city could consider a fee for projects involving significant tree removal.
"Maybe there's a way to create a fee that would disincentivize clear-cutting and instead encourage developers to preserve existing trees, while also funding replanting efforts to maintain our tree cover," Sauerhoff said.
However, City of Olympia Planner Casey Schaufler pointed out the complexities of implementing such policies. He said Olympia's existing forestry manual already prioritizes maintaining existing trees on development sites and requires replanting when trees are removed.
He said setting up additional fees or more requirements in the city's comprehensive plan could raise legal issues, such as being considered a "taking" of private property.
"Fees are all set in code. They are not set in the comp plan," noted Schaufler, adding the comprehensive plan is meant to provide broad direction, while the specifics are handled in city code and implementation plans.
City of Olympia Climate Program Manager Dr. Pamela Braff pointed to Policy 7.1 in the draft Climate Element, which calls for developing an urban forest management plan to establish tree canopy goals and guide related policies and programs. She said this approach would help strike a balance between environmental protection and sustainable urban growth.
Public comments received by the city echo the importance of trees for climate resilience, shade and habitat, with several speakers urging the city to set ambitious canopy goals and ensure equitable access to green space across neighborhoods.
Braff outlined the climate challenges that Olympia is facing in the future. Summers are expected to bring more frequent and intense heat waves, with an increasing number of days surpassing a 90-degree humid index — a threshold associated with significant health risks. Droughts are also projected to become more common and severe.
While wildfire risk within Olympia remains relatively low due to urbanization, the city is expected to experience more fires burning elsewhere in the region.
Winters, on the other hand, are anticipated to see heavier rainfall over shorter periods, raising the risk of flooding. Braff said Olympia could see more than a foot of sea level rise by 2050, further increasing the city's vulnerability to extreme weather and flooding events.
Braff added that all areas in Olympia will experience extreme heat events, but some neighborhoods, such as the Capitol Mall triangle area along Martin Way and downtown, are especially vulnerable due to having less tree cover. Heat mapping assessments have shown the areas experience the most intense heat during high-temperature days, though significant heat would be felt citywide.
Commissioner Daniel Garcia noted many community members have called for increasing Olympia's tree canopy, more than 40%, to help address extreme heat. He inquired whether expanding tree cover would provide immediate relief from high temperatures and how effective it would be in mitigating heat risks.
City of Olympia Climate Resilience Coordinator Natalie Weiss said while tree canopy can help reduce heat by providing shade and cooling the air, especially in areas with dense tree cover, it is not an immediate solution and may not fully protect against extreme heat everywhere in the city.
Weiss also pointed out some populations, such as older adults, children and people who live alone, are more vulnerable to heat events. Even in the same location, those groups may face higher health risks due to preexisting conditions or other factors.
She said effective mitigation requires not only increasing tree canopy, but also providing targeted resources and support for those most at risk.
To address these needs, Braff said the comprehensive plan includes a policy to support and recruit community centers and other facilities to serve as resilience hubs, or places that can provide cooling resources during extreme heat events.
Ongoing efforts will focus on making the hubs accessible, and ensuring they offer the necessary support and resources for those most at risk.
Schaufler added emergency centers providing relief from extreme heat, cold or smoke are primarily coordinated at the regional level through Thurston County's Emergency Response Plan, with the city participating in and supporting the efforts as part of its broader public safety and climate policies.
The Planning Commission approved the Climate Element draft without revisions. Chair Greg Quetin said the commission would draft a letter to the city council highlighting the tree canopy issue and other key policies from the chapter.
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Honestyandrealityguy
The universe is expanding everyday. The galaxies are expanding and growing. The solar systems are moving throughout the galaxies. The planets are moving/changing rotations within the solar systems. Our sun is aging. But a tree will stop everything. Hmmm?
Tuesday, August 12, 2025 Report this
2theroots
The city is 15 years over due on redoing their tree ordinance. But they are about to do it and there are a number of tree policies employed by other cities that could make a significant difference.
Wednesday, August 13, 2025 Report this
JulesJames
But requiring developers to calculate compliance with the impending tree fee ordinance for any property considered for purchase won't increase the overall cost of housing at all. And -- of course -- every landowner who plans to eventually sell to a developer would never think of removing any trees of any significant diameter. Olympia can grow into a city of over-priced housing sporting bushes and shrubbery -- but no trees. Nice thinking there.
Wednesday, August 13, 2025 Report this
CobraCommander
Honestyandrealityguy needs to study up on carbon sinks in addition to reenrolling in high school, since your comment reads like a 7th grader who is paraphrasing their understanding of the natural world.
Maybe you should read books instead of whaterver it is you do
Wednesday, August 13, 2025 Report this
BettyVerdammt
Does Olympia even have an arborist to consult for its tree policy?
Wednesday, August 13, 2025 Report this
SusanFern70
An easy and straightforward way to encourage more tree is to stop recommending/approving buildings that are built right out to the sidewalk, leaving no room for vegetation. Left hand/right hand…
Wednesday, August 13, 2025 Report this
Southsoundguy
Climate change is a scam. The physics and chemistry prove it. Here’s a link: https://clivebest.com/blog/?p=1169
Wednesday, August 13, 2025 Report this
CobraCommander
Southsoundguy, climate change isn't a scam, but believing blogs that aren't peer-reviewed sure is.
You never went to college.
Thursday, August 14, 2025 Report this
Dogmom
Commissioner Aaron Sauerhoff seemed to b the only one who actually cares about the wildlife & habitat that are destroyed in every clear cut. Leaving a few trees here & there does nothing to protect them either. I don't know where the City of Olympia Planner Casey Schaufler thinks the existing forestry manual prioritizes maintaining existing trees. What is written as supposed rules & codes are not being followed at all. I see more & more areas that were beautiful forests completely destroyed. Only thing being planted to any extent are houses, not trees.
Friday, August 15, 2025 Report this
Boatyarddog
@Honestyandrealityguy.. your so lazy! You just copy and paste BS comments from another ppst you chimed in on and expect intelligent people to accept that as a comment because you change the last 6 words. Wasting time playing games. LIKE SSGUY and Others.
Friday, August 15, 2025 Report this