KU and the city have been working on an agreement since December, following community outcry over the utility company’s tree cutting plans.
In response, KU has developed a new framework that takes into account a number of factors. It focuses more on the areas surrounding transmission lines as they sag and sway, adding a safety zone around them. While the company generally wants to see vegetation at least 15 feet under wire zones, the new policy would permit taller trees.
"The program going forward will allow for vegetation of any height as long as, at maturity, it doesn't encroach in that safety zone."Kyle Burns, KU
KU director of engineering and construction Kyle Burns told the council that policy, along with other changes, is expected to save many of the trees that would have been targeted for removal under last year’s plan.
"There were a number of trees that were going to be removed at that point. What we're talking about today is saving 50% of those trees," he said.
KU is also proposing an expansion of its mailings and notifications – for example, letting residents know about planned cutting that might be occurring within their neighborhoods, not just on individual or adjacent properties.
