Morrisville UDO - June 2017 version

Article 5: Development Standards

Section 5.4. Tree Protection

5.4.3. Tree Survey

June 23, 2017

Morrisville, NC

Page 5-6

Unified Development Ordinance

5.4.3.

Tree Survey

Purpose

The purpose of the tree survey is to clearly demonstrate the location and area of existing tree canopy

coverage for stands of trees on a development site as well as the location and size of individual specimen

trees on the site.

Required

A tree survey shall be prepared and submitted as part of any application for development subject to

this section.

Form

Except for vacant sites of more than 30 acres in area that are 100 percent covered by an existing tree

canopy, the tree survey shall include:

The latest available aerial photograph of the development site; and

A plan depicting:

The location, area, predominant species, general health, estimated tree number, and average

diameter at breast height (DBH) of stands of trees;

The location, species, general health, and DBH of all individual specimen trees on the site;

The location and DBH of trees to be credited towards the requirements i

n Section 5.7, Perimeter and Streetyard Buffers,

and

Section 5.12, Landscaping;

The proposed tree protection area boundary, including any areas where replacement tree are

proposed in accordance with Section

5.4.7.A.2, Location of Replacement Trees;

The location of the drip line and tree trunks associated with trees bordering the tree protection

area boundary;

Known dead or diseased trees, where practical; and

The percentage of the lot area (excluding all proposed street rights-of-way, existing utility

easements, and natural water surface areas) that is covered by existing tree canopy.

(Ord. No. 2015-002, 04/29/2015)

Vacant Sites Over 30 Acres

Applications for development on vacant sites of 30 acres in area or larger that are 100 percent covered

by existing tree canopy may submit the latest available aerial photograph as the required tree survey,

provided:

The aerial photograph is supplemented by a plan showing the location of the drip edge and tree

trunks associated with trees bordering the tree protection area boundary; and

In cases where an applicant is seeking to use existing trees to comply with the standards i

n Section 5.7, Perimeter and Streetyard Buffers, Section 5.12, Landscaping,

or Section

5.4.7, Mitigation for Tree Removal,

a plan prepared in accordance with subsection

5.4.3.C.2

above is also required.

5.4.4.

Tree Canopy Retention

Minimum Percentage

Except as exempted by

5.4.2.B, Exemptions,

or otherwise allowed and mitigated in accordance with

Sectio

n 5.4.7, Mitigation for Tree Removal,

existing tree canopy cover on a development site shall be

retained and protected in accordance with Table

5.4.4.A,

Existing Tree Canopy Retention Standards,

based on the proposed type of development and the percentage of the site covered by existing tree