Natural Environment and Climate Change Task Forces
At a glance
What: Four city task forces (work plans, climate, urban forestry, heat mitigation) preparing comprehensive plan policies and regulations to meet a state climate planning requirement due by June 2029.
Where it stands: Task forces have met since May 2026; the urban forestry and heat mitigation groups meet in September, the climate group rejoins in October, and public outreach starts in January 2027.
Next: Task force recommendations come to the Planning Commission in April 2027, with Council action targeted for June 2027; a transportation-focused phase follows from mid 2027 to mid 2029.
Details
Goals include a 40 percent tree canopy by 2050 (currently about 24.5 percent), a greenhouse gas source inventory, climate resilience and heat mitigation, and planting plans for drought and heat.
Four Planning Commission members serve as liaisons to the task forces. Two placeholder amendments on the 2027 docket await their recommendations (see 2027 Comprehensive Plan Docket).
Based on the Whisper transcript of one meeting; no agenda or minutes were located.
Staff update to the Planning Commission on the task force program, schedule, canopy and heat data. Members raised water for new trees, the meaning of vulnerable communities, and historic restrictive deed language.