Consider Approval of Tree Ordinance Changes, Consistency Statement, and Tree Fund Resolution 2019-40

Senior Planner Trey Akers

Summary: In 2018 the board of commissioners directed staff to draft revisions to Section 9 of the Davidson Planning Ordinance, which covers tree canopy, landscaping, and screening standards. Staff built on the initial recommendations provided by the Livability Board in 2016, working with the board of commissioners and Planning Board members to produce a set of text amendments to update the Section 9 and Section 15 standards (which deal with landscaping violations).

Adoption of a consistency statement is required by statute whenever the governing board adopts a text amendment. Additionally, the recommendations include Resolution 2019-40 establishment of a Tree Fund to further the ordinance's aims of preserving, establishing, and maintaining the town's tree canopy.