District of ColumbiaParkside rule let owners remove certain protected trees for fees
Until May 14, 2026, owners of five Parkside lots could remove protected trees for a fee if zoning officials approved the planned development before July 1, 2016.
What it does
Owners could remove Heritage Trees from five Parkside lots without the usual removal rules if zoning officials approved the planned development before July 1, 2016. A fee was due per tree. The rule expired May 14, 2026.
Argument forFor the previously approved Parkside development, the exception may have made tree removal easier while still requiring a fee for each tree.
Argument againstAllowing removal without the usual Heritage Tree rules could have left these protected trees with fewer safeguards during the temporary period.
More detail
The rule let owners remove covered Heritage Trees without following the usual Heritage Tree removal rules. It covered Heritage Trees on Lots 865, 866, 867, 868, and 869 in Square 5056 of the Parkside project. The D.C. Zoning Commission had to approve a planned unit development, a zoning plan for the project, before July 1, 2016. Owners owed a fee for each removed Heritage Tree at the rate set for special trees. The rule took effect October 1, 2025, and expired May 14, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2025
- Oct 1Law Number L26-0046 Effective from Oct 01, 2025, Expires on May 14, 2026Latest
- Aug 19Transmitted to CongressMinor
- Aug 15Act A26-0133 Published in DC Register Vol 72 and Page 008934
- Aug 12Returned from Mayor
- Aug 11Signed by the Mayor and Enacted with Act Number A26-0133Became Law
- Jul 31Transmitted to Mayor, Response Due on Aug 14, 2025To Governor
- Jul 28Final Reading, CCMinor
- Vote recorded Final Reading, CC. Result: pass.Legislature
- Jul 18Notice of Intent to Act on B26-0313 Published in the District of Columbia Register
- Jul 14First ReadingMinor
- Vote recorded First Reading. Result: pass.Legislature
- Jul 14Retained by the Council
- Jul 9B26-0313 Introduced by Councilmember Felder at Office of the SecretaryIntroduced
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