To: Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Michelle Bushnell and Planning & Building Director John Ford
Agenda Section: Time Certain Matter
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
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9:45 A.M. - Update on the Status of County Jurisdiction to Enforce the Q-Zone in Lower Redway and Provide Direction to Enhance County Ability to Minimize Loss of Trees in the Future (LRP 2026-19528)
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Accept the update on county jurisdiction to enforce the Q-Zone in lower Redway; and
2. Direct staff to commence work on updating the Q Zone in lower Redway to achieve the following:
a. Define the meaning of imminent danger and immediate hazard; and
b. Establish minimum contents for an arborists or forester's report when evaluating the health and safety of a tree; and
c. Include regulations prohibiting activities which could damage a tree; and
d. Expand notification requirements to all property owners in the Q-Zone; and
e. Establish a means to notify the public and potential buyers of the dangers of living in a forested environment; and
3. Direct staff to develop an ordinance based upon the Q-Zone which protects old growth trees outside of the Lower Redway Q-Zone.
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STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board's Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Sustainable Natural Resources & Infrastructure Stewardship
Strategic Plan Category: 1008 - Update General Plan ordinances for quality of environment
DISCUSSION:
This report is to provide the Board of Supervisors with an understanding surrounding the redwood tree removal in the lower Redway Q-Zone and to offer an approach that may better protect trees within the Q-Zone, and alternatively, develop protections for old growth redwood trees in other areas of the county on smaller properties not zoned TPZ.
Background
In December 2025, CalFire issued a notice of exemption for removal of trees within 150 feet of a structure and utilities d...
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