Milton is considering a comprehensive Urban Forest Preservation ordinance (draft Ordinance 2140-26) that would add Section 17.44.115 and extensive tree-related definitions, permit requirements, credits, enforcement, and a five‑year urban forest management program commitment. After City Council raised concerns on May 18, 2026 about permit burden, replacement requirements, penalties, and the need for an Urban Forestry Study/Plan, they remanded the proposal back to the Planning Commission for further study and refinement (PLN2026‑0001). The draft ordinance anticipates use of qualified tree professionals, third‑party reviews, forest management plans, and a future urban forest management program within five years. This is pre‑RFP policy work, but the structure of the code explicitly anticipates ongoing arborist services, plan preparation and review, tree inventory, enforcement support, and a citywide Urban Forest Management Plan effort funded in part by in‑lieu fees. Environmental, urban forestry, and planning consultants can engage now to advise on right‑sizing the ordinance, offer to conduct the Urban Forestry Study/Plan referenced by Council, and position for subsequent contracts to manage tree inventories, assessments, mitigation planning, and program implementation once the code and management program are adopted.

Council questions included whether to wait for an Urban Forestry Study/Plan, how strong regulations ...