A. Urban Growth Area. Properties within the urban growth area are anticipated to be available for development with urban uses within the next twenty-year period. Pursuant to RCW 76.09.070 lands within the urban growth area are not considered appropriate for long-term timber production and harvesting which takes a full forty-year cycle. Forest management activities shall be consistent with the city’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan and implementing regulations for the urban growth area. Forest management activities shall promote the goals and policies of the Lacey Urban Forest Management Plan. Forest practice applications shall meet the requirements specified in subsections B, C, D and E of this section.

B. Conversions and Timing. Because conversion of properties within the urban growth area can reasonably be expected, significant land clearing of such properties shall only take place at the time of a valid land use application. Tree tracts, open spaces and buffers can then be properly coordinated with the actual development plans.

To further the purposes, goals, and policies of the Urban Forest Management Plan, timber harvesting and conversion of forested lands within the urban growth area shall not be permitted until such time as a valid land use application for development is made; provided, however, requests may be made for maintenance and thinning of existing timber stands to promote the overall health and growth of the stand until said stand is converted and harvested pursuant to plans provided within a valid land use permit.

C. Maintenance and Thinning. Class IV forest practice applications and applications for maintenance and thinning shall be reviewed by the city’s tree protection professional who shall make recommendations on the request to the site plan review committee. Recommendations shall ensure that action shall improve the health and growth of the stand and preserve long-term tree protection alternatives to meet the goals of this chapter.

D. Selective Thinning Limited. Thinning activities shall be strictly limited to less than thirty-five percent of the volume every ten years. High grading or top-down thinning shall not be permitted. The remaining stand of trees should be healthy, long-term trees from the dominant and co-dominant crown classes. The stand shall be marked prior to the selective thinning operation, indicating which trees will be removed and saved.

E. Processing of Applications. Class IV forest practice applications shall be processed concurrently with, and using the same process as, the underlying land use application. Should there be no underlying land use application, the Class IV forest practice application shall be processed as a land clearing permit under this chapter in accordance with the full administrative review procedures in Chapter 1 of the City of Lacey Development Guidelines and Public Works Standards. (Ord. 1617 §4, 2022; Ord. 1417 §9, 2013; Ord. 1269 §8, 2006; Ord. 904, 1991).