An update on River Forest’s climate action plan at the June 9 Village Board meeting led to discussion of its accomplishments as well as related environmental matters, including a possible leaf-blower ban.
Officials also took the next step on a recommendation to amend the tree preservation ordinance.
The climate action plan was created a year ago with the assistance of two groups of graduate students from the University of Illinois Chicago. Seth Jansen, management consultant, said the two groups combined to recommend 75 separate actions.
He noted that several recommendations are already reflected in village operations, including expanding electric vehicle charging stations, utilization and promotion of permeable pavers and energy efficiency standards in building codes.
Jansen said that 17 of the 75 climate action plan recommendations fell under the umbrella of communications, which led the commission to dedicate all February communications to recycling and developing a Guide to Trees webpage.
He said continued communications, such as partnerships with the River Forest Public Library and School District 90, are among recommendations being considered, along with providing a sustainable focus to village capital projects and equipment purchases, such as the purchase of an electric vehicle for the Police Department in December.
The sustainability commission also conducted a survey to collect a baseline of resident knowledge on climate change. The survey, conducted from October through February, indicated high resident interest in green spaces and urban forestry. The survey also revealed skepticism among residents around the effectiveness of recycling programs and concerns about cost, capacity and effectiveness of electrification.
Leaf blowers discussion
The commission and the village board have held numerous discussions on the issue of leaf-blowers dating back to April 2023.
Jansen told officials that the Sustainability Commission had voted to recommend phasing in changes to leaf blower regulations that would include incentives for landscape contractors to switch from gas-powered to electric-powered leaf blowers.
“We’re trying to signal that we’re going in that direction,” said Susan Charrette, commission co-chair. “But the technology is changing all the time.”
Trustee Bob O’Connell recalled that village officials planned to follow the lead of Oak Park and noted that that village has already implemented a ban on gas-powered leaf blowers.
Jansen said he has had conversations with landscapers working in the village and is watching developments in other municipalities, mostly on the North Shore.
Village President Cathy Adduci suggested bringing the issue back to the village board at the next meeting July 14, but O’Connell cautioned against making changes in the middle of the mowing season.
Adduci and Jansen also noted the need for a workable enforcement mechanism.
Tree preservation
Officials also advanced another climate action plan recommendation June 9, accepting the recommendation from the sustainability commission to proceed with a text amendment related to tree preservation.
“The sustainability commission thinks this is a good first step,” Jansen said.
He explained that the recommendation addresses trees on residential property, which is not covered under the current ordinance, and will not change regulations regarding trees on commercial property.
“Currently, the village does not have any authority over private property trees,” Jansen said in a memo to village Administrator Matt Walsh. “No permit is required for the removal of trees on single-family residential property; however, the removal must be completed by a forester licensed with the village. Existing language in the village zoning code establishes landscaping requirements for multi-family residential buildings, commercial establishments, institutions and government buildings, where the building footprint covers 5,000 square feet or more of land area.
“As drafted, this ordinance would be limited in scope to single family residential properties seeking to remove an oak or elm tree greater than 20 inches in diameter. This includes all species of oak and all species of elm, except for invasive Siberian elms. Removal of such a tree would require one replacement tree to be planted. This replacement tree would only be required if the conditions of approval in the existing tree preservation ordinance are not met.”
Walsh explained that the next step would be to propose text amendments related to tree preservation to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a public hearing and recommendation.
Trustee Katie Brennan stressed the need to publicize the zoning board public hearing.
Adduci agreed, suggesting sending a postcard mailing in addition to the village’s usual communication outlets.