Morrisville UDO - June 2017 version

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Article 5: Development Standards
Section 5.4. Tree Protection
5.4.4. Tree Canopy Retention
Morrisville, NC June 23, 2017
Unified Development Ordinance Page 5-7
canopy and the priorities established in Section (See example
application in Table Existing Tree Canopy Retention Standards.)
Table Existing Tree Canopy Retention Standards
Existing Tree Canopy
Cover [1]
Minimum Percentage of Existing Tree Canopy Cover to be Retained
Single-Family Attached and
Multifamily Development
Nonresidential and Mixed-Use Development
92% up to 100% 19% 10%
84% up to 92% 21% 11%
76% up to 84% 23% 12%
68% up to 76% 25% 13%
60% up to 68% 27% 14%
52% up to 60% 29% 15%
44% up to 52% 31% 16%
38% up to 44% 33% 17%
30% up to 38% 35% 18%
22% up to 30% 37% 19%
14% up to 22% 39% 20%
6% up to 14% 41% 21%
0% up to 6% n/a n/a
Notes:
[1] Existing tree canopy cover is the percentage of a development site (excluding proposed street rights-of-way, existing
utility easements, and natural water surface areas) that is covered by existing tree canopy before development or land
disturbing activity.
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES:
(1) The tree survey establishes that 80% of
a 100,000-square-foot multifamily
development site is covered by existing tree
canopy. Because 80% falls within the 76%
up to 84% range, the minimum required tree
canopy retention for the site is 23% of the
existing canopy from mature deciduous
trees. This equates to 18.4% of the total
development site (80,000 x 23%), yielding
a tree protection area of approximately
18,400 square feet.
(2) On the same sized multifamily
development site, the tree survey
established that only 20% of the site is
covered by existing from mature deciduous
trees. Because 20% falls within the 14% up
to 22% range, the minimum required tree
canopy retention is 39% of the existing tree
cover. This equates to 7.8% of the total
development site (20,000 x 39%), yielding
a tree protection area of 7, 800 square
feet.
(Ord. No. 2016-001, 05/10/2016)
B. Priority Retention Areas
When meeting the tree canopy retention standards outlined in Table Existing Tree Canopy
Retention Standards, priority areas for retention of existing tree canopy cover shall include the retention
areas identified in Table 5.4.4.B, Priority Retention Areas, listed in priority order. The existing tree