News Flash

TOWN OF CORTE MADERA 

TOWN COUNCIL

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

On Tuesday June 16, 2020 at 6:30pm via video conference,  the Corte Madera Town Council will hold a Public Hearing to review information, receive public comments, and consider introduction of a proposed Municipal Code Amendment prepared by the Town of Corte Madera Planning and Building Department.

The proposed Ordinance would amend portions of Chapter 15.50 (Trees) of the Corte Madera Municipal Code. Sections 15.50.020 (Definitions), 15.50.040 (Application for Permit), and 15.50.050 (Exemptions to Permit Requirements) to: 1) Add a definition of “fire-prone trees;” and 2) Add a procedure for removal of fire-prone trees on private property and public property that exempts such trees from obtaining a tree permit when deemed a fire hazard. 

The proposed ordinance introduces a new definition – “Fire-Prone Trees” – which is consistent with the species referenced on the Central Marin Fire Authority’s Pyrophytic and Hazardous Tree List. The list is representative of fire-prone trees common within Marin County that ignite readily and burn intensely, and share one or more common characteristics: they contain volatile oils and waxes, accumulate hazardous dead material, and are prone to rapid changes in moisture content. In order to remove one of the “Fire-Prone Trees” the proposed ordinance would also introduce a verification procedure, whereby any fire-prone tree that does not already meet another exemption under the Tree Ordinance would require investigation and verification by the Town’s Fire Code Official and be deemed a fire hazard.

The intent of the proposed amendments is to provide a procedure by which a fire-prone tree that is deemed a fire hazard can be exempted from tree permit requirements, eliminating the uncertainty and additional time and cost associated with a tree permit process. The proposed amendments facilitate the Central Marin Fire Authority’s vegetation management programs that seek to reduce hazardous fuels and support their efforts to continue to reduce the fire risk that exists within Corte Madera.

The Planning Department recommends that the proposed municipal code amendments are not subject to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15304(b) and 15304(i) because the proposed Municipal Code amendments seek to allow minor alterations to land to facilitate replacement of conventional landscaping with fire resistant landscaping, and to facilitate fire fuel management activities on public and private property.

• HOW TO ATTEND, PARTICIPATE AND PROVIDE COMMENT AT THE JUNE 16 TOWN COUNCIL MEETING:
• The meeting will be held via video conference. To access the guidelines for viewing and participating in the video conference go to: https://www.townofcortemadera.org/910/Town-Council-Meetings
• You may also submit written comments prior to the public hearing by contacting the project contact (listed above).
• Staff reports are usually available by 5:00 p.m. on the Friday before the meeting and may be obtained from the project contact (listed above).
• If you challenge this project in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing, or in written correspondence delivered to the Town of Corte Madera at, or prior to, the public hearing.  All written responses will become part of the public record (Government Code Section 65009(b)).

Tracy Hegarty, Administrative Analyst, Planning Department

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Planning Division at 415-927-5064. Notification two business days (the Friday before the meeting) prior to the meeting will enable the Town to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting.