The Henderson City Council last week adopted an ordinance to protect trees which Development Services Director Corey Williams said will provide guidelines aimed at maintaining buffers for development and tree canopy overhead.
Williams spoke to John C. Rose on The Local Skinny Monday. The new ordinance, 21-06 was adopted unanimously by council members. It replaces a section of city code with prescribed actions and some restrictions, he said. “The intent is to try to preserve the tree canopy and try to leave buffers in place,” Williams said. The ordinance went into effect upon its approval by council on Thursday, he said.
This is a “comprehensive tree protection ordinance that we haven’t had before” he said.
The ordinance replaces Section 17-9 of the City Code “Tree Cutters to Clean up Resulting Debris,” which only applies within the city limits. Although the code protects or manages existing street trees, it does not create a buffer/canopy zone for adjacent property when trees are harvested,” according to the official request to approve the ordinance. The new ordinance serves the city as well as the 2.5-mile extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), Williams said.
The 12-page ordinance spells out situations that require a zoning compliance permit such as listing of all existing and future buffers surrounding a tract, as well as “all work impacting trees on lots designated for non-residential, multi-family residential and mixed use” as well as any impact on trees for single- and two-family residential use where total land disturbance exceeds 5,000 feet.
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For example, Williams said, a developer who needs to remove a tree or trees may be required to plant trees in the landscape to replace what had to be taken down. There are minimum canopy percentages that apply for different types land use. Multi-family residential and commercial use, for example, have a minimum canopy coverage of 30 percent; industrial districts have a minimum coverage of 20 percent.
Some exceptions to the ordinance include removal of severely damaged or diseased trees and removal of non-native invasive species which are listed within the ordinance.
The ordinance even includes suggestions on choosing which type of tree to plant, Williams noted. Native species such as dogwood, persimmon and pawpaw trees are on the list in the ordinance, for example.
More spelled-out guidance, in conjunction with a comprehensive landscape plan, will help preserve the natural beauty of the area, he said, which makes the area more attractive to folks looking to relocate.
To read the full ordinance, visit ci.henderson.nc.us and find the ordinance under the link to the City Clerk, Williams said.
