Community Environment Government

Gig Harbor City Council to discuss climate plan, trees and Masonic Lodge

Two tree-related issues are up for discussion at the next Gig Harbor City Council meeting on Monday, Oct. 9: The council will consider adopting an Urban Forestry Management Plan and a Climate Action Plan.

The council reviewed both plans at a Sept. 21 study session and will take public comment on them Monday.

Forestry plan

Researchers working on the proposed forestry management plan found that the city’s tree cover is approximately 40.7 percent. That includes approximately 2,500 trees growing along streets and an unknown number of trees in city parks.

The city lost about eight acres of tree canopy on private lands during the study period (2017-2021), but gained 16 acres of canopy on public land through a combination of land preservation, tree planting and growth of existing trees.

The study identified about 300 acres as “priority planting areas” within the city boundaries, mostly on private land. It recommended that the city encourage property owners to plant more trees and protect existing trees.

The proposed forestry plan establishes a target of 45 percent tree canopy cover by 2033. Fully planting all the priority planting areas would bring the total canopy cover to 64 percent.

The title page of Gig Harbor’s Urban Forestry Management Plan, adopted October 9, 2023.

Climate Action Plan

The council will also review a Climate Action Plan that includes development of a system for monitoring greenhouse gas emissions and the impacts of environmental risks such as wildfire, sea level rise and landslides.

The plan sets goals and recommends strategies and actions for achieving the goals.

A 2019 inventory found that more than 50 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in Gig Harbor come from cars and other vehicles.

Buildings account for 29 percent, with nearly 90 percent of that caused by natural gas. Refrigerants, solid waste and wastewater make up 13 percent to the greenhouse gas total.

Recommended strategies for reducing emissions include promoting carpooling and use of public transportation; encouraging the installation of heat pumps and solar panels; and adopting stronger energy efficiency guidelines in new construction and retrofits.

Implementing the climate plan and reducing emissions will also protect trees.

The cover page of Gig Harbor’s Climate Action Plan, adopted Oct. 9, 2023.

Masonic Lodge

The council will also review an agreement with Harbor History Museum to manage the Masonic Lodge as an events center.

The agreement requires the museum to conduct public surveys about potential uses of the building and provide the city with a plan for parking, stormwater treatment and other issues.

The museum must also provide drawings and cost estimates for any proposed floor plan changes, additions, repair and ADA access, and must identify funding sources for remodel or construction costs.

The city proposed demolishing the historic building in May, after a consultant reported that it would cost at least $1.7 million to bring the building up to code and make it usable by the public. After extensive testimony against the plan at a subsequent meeting, the city council opted to reconsider.

The council meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9, at the Civic Center, 3510 Grandview St. Click here to watch and participate via Zoom.

The former Crescent Valley School and Masonic Lodge building