Submitted By
Rob Sproule, Public Works Director
Reviewed By
Ahmad M. Zayyad, Deputy Village Manager / Interim Director of Development Customer Services
Agenda Item Title
Title
Concur with the Community Design Commission and Adopt A Resolution Approving and Adopting the Village of Oak Park’s Urban Forest Management Plan
End
Overview
Overview
This is a Resolution adopting the Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP) as an action plan providing detailed information, recommendations, and resources needed to effectively and proactively manage public trees in the Village of Oak Park.End
Recommendation
Recommendation
Adopt the Resolution.
Background
The Climate Ready Oak Park Implementation Plan lists the establishment and implementation of an urban forest plan as a high priority (EP03). The UFMP was developed to be a living document that guides the Forestry Division’s actions for the next 20 years. Its goals are to increase canopy cover, maximize the benefits trees provide while minimizing cost, mitigate against climate change, ensure tree equity throughout the community, and create a program to manage the urban forest resource for the greatest public good in a manner that is both financially and programmatically sustainable, while maintaining flexibility for future adaptive management.
The Village presently has over 18,500 trees growing in the parkway or on Village-owned property. Over the past 10 years the Village’s Forestry Division dealt with the loss of many parkway ash trees to emerald ash borer and the continued loss of American elm trees to Dutch elm disease. Tree planting increased over that time and presently over 98% of locations identified as being suitable for a tree have a tree currently growing there.
The loss of many parkway ash and elm trees reduced the Village’s overall tree canopy cover considerably. Tree canopy cover is closely correlated with the environmental and social benefits trees provide. The Village undertook a large replanting effort but it takes time for these trees to grow and replace the canopy cover that was lost. The UFMP includes steps to help these younger trees develop good structure, increase their canopy, and extend their useful life expectancy in the parkway. There are also steps that will result in a tree population that is more resilient to future pest pressure and climate change. The end result of these actions should grow Oak Park’s tree canopy cover and increase the environmental and social benefits that all Oak Park residents will receive from Village-owned trees.
Fiscal Impact
N/A
DEI Impact
The plan includes sections that discuss tree equity, urban heat islands, and urban flood susceptibility.
The plan is in alignment with Climate Ready Oak Park Goal: EP03
Alternatives
The Board can delay action to gain additional information or seek additional revisions to the plan.
Previous Board Action
On August 1, 2022, the Village Board adopted the 2022 Community Sustainability, Climate Action, and Resiliency Plan for Oak Park, titled “Climate Ready Oak Park” per Resolution No. 22-183.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
On October 3, 2023, the Environmental and Energy Commission reviewed the latest UFMP draft and provided feedback on the plan.
On October 25, 2023, the Community Design Commission reviewed a newly revised UFMP draft, provided feedback, and voted to support taking the UFMP to the Village Board for their approval.
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
The Public Works Department has another agenda item proposing minor Ordinance changes to Chapter 25 (Trees, Shrubs, and Other Plants) of the Village Code that incorporates the UFMP into the Village Code. Staff anticipates brining a more comprehensive revision of Chapter 25 of the Village Code to the Village Board at a later date. Future proposed budgets will be based upon the UFMP.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
The UFMP identifies numerous governmental partners that the Forestry Division either presently works with or can collaborate with to achieve UFMP goals.