Secondary and Cumulative Impacts Master Management Plan

Article 5: Development Standards

Section 5.4. Tree Protection

5.4.1. Purpose

June 2013

Morrisville, NC

Page 5-4

Unified Development Ordinance - Public Hearing Draft

coordinates. The station or monument shall be located on the Final Plat to an accuracy of 1:15,000

with a statement identifying the station or monument. If such a monument or station is not available, the

tie shall be made to some permanent and readily recognizable landmark or identifiable point,

physical object, or structure.

Subdivision Survey Accuracy

Angular error of closure shall not exceed 20 seconds times the square foot of the number of

angles turned.

Linear error of closure shall not exceed one foot per 10,000 feet of perimeter of the lot of land

(1:10,000), except for commercial and industrial subdivisions, where linear error closure shall not

exceed one foot per fifteen thousand 15,000 feet of perimeter (1:15,000).

SECTION 5.4.

TREE PROTECTION

5.4.1.

Purpose

The purpose of this section is to establish minimum standards

to ensure that development and land-disturbing activities do

not result in the unnecessary removal or damage of tree

canopy and mature trees that contribute to the character and

quality of life in Morrisville by:

Preserving and enhancing the visual and aesthetic

qualities of the Town;

Reducing glare, dust, heat, and noise;

Maintaining and enhancing property values;

Increasing slope stability and controlling erosion and sedimentation;

Reducing stormwater runoff into waterways and preserving and enhancing water quality;

Preserving and enhancing air quality;

Conserving wildlife habitat; and

Conserving energy by moderating temperatures and reducing heating and cooling demands.

5.4.2.

Applicability

General

The standards in this section shall apply to any removal of a specimen tree and to all new

development subject to Planned Development Rezoning (Section 2.5.3), Conceptual Master Plan

Approval (Section 2.5.4), Special Use Permit (Section 2.5.5), Major Subdivision Preliminary Plat

Approval (Section 2.5.6.B), Minor Subdivision Plat Approval (Section 2.5.6.D), Major Site Plan

Approval (Section 2.5.7.B), or Minor Site Plan Approval (Section 2.5.7.C), unless such specimen tree

removal or new development is expressly exempted in accordance with subsection

below.

Exemptions

The following activities are exempt from the standards of this section:

The removal of trees other than specimen trees where associated with an existing single-family

detached, duplex, or manufactured home dwelling use on an existing lot.

The removal of dead or naturally-fallen trees;

COMMENTARY

The Land Use Plan calls for creation of a

tree protection ordinance to protect trees

during development and limit the heat

island effect of urban development

patterns. Part C, Article IX (Landscape

Ordinance) of the current Zoning

Ordinance includes minimal standards for

protecting existing trees. This proposed

new section expands those standards to

require retention of a percentage of

existing tree canopy and/or preserve

specific specimen or heritage trees.