Saratoga's planning commission must have had Morris on the brain this year, as they have been working for months on the city's tree regulation and protection codes.

The commission created a subcommittee several months ago to review the Saratoga Code and make significant change where needed. In a presentation at the planning commission's Oct. 23 meeting, the subcommittee—commissioners Lisa Kurasch, Jill Hunter, Mike Garakani and Community Development Director Tom Sullivan—submitted numerous changes that are meant to clarify and strengthen the existing code.

"The existing language was very weak," Sullivan said. "The document was reviewed for legal strengthening, changing 'wills' to 'shalls' and ensuring consistency."

Changes to the code included new tree measurement procedures. Trees will now be measured at 4¹/2 feet aboveground while standing on the high side of the tree, and diameter will be calculated with the formula, diameter equals circumference divided by 3.142.

It is proposed that no permit will be needed when pruning up to 20 percent of a tree's crown, and root zone areas will extend from the trunk outward to no less than five feet beyond the dripline of the tree or as determined by the city arborist.

Definitions were updated and modified, providing new material to terminology such as damage, dripline, encroachment and oak tree.

Adjustments were also made to sections addressing removal of certain trees without permit, application for permit to prune or remove trees and enforcement of code.

Previously, violations were handled as infractions. Under the new policy, the violations would constitute a misdemeanor, unless otherwise specified by the enforcing authority.

The commission was pleased with the changes, commissioner Jill Hunter saying that changes were "long overdue," and commissioner Lisa Kurasch stating that she believes "these changes are realistic and achievable without watering down the codes to nothing."

One resident did address the commission, proposing there be longer appeal time when the city asks a resident to cut a tree, a better definition of encroachment and the increase of penalties from misdemeanor to felony charges.

However the city was content with the current amendments and unanimously approved the article. The amendment proposal will be up for city council vote Nov. 20.