Tree Board looks to change the way developers treat Salisbury land
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, August 8, 2012
By Emily Ford
eford@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — Clear cutting would still be allowed, but developers who want to clear trees from their property would have to clean up afterward and then build something, according to proposed changes to the city’s landscape ordinance.
The Salisbury Tree Board on Tuesday presented to City Council the suggested clear-cutting requirements, along with numerous other draft changes to landscape regulations.
The Tree Board wants to avoid more scenarios in Salisbury where developers clear acres of land with no plans to build, and then leave scenes of destruction behind.
Chairman Rodney Queen said the amended landscape ordinance would protect the environment while encouraging growth.
The Tree Board wants to preserve and enhance Salisbury’s tree canopy, which Queen called an important first impression for visitors and potential new businesses.
“But we didn’t want to take anything away from a property owner’s rights,” Queen told City Council members.
While the proposed changes will come back to City Council for a final vote, the draft ordinance now goes to the Salisbury Planning Board.
The public will have a chance to comment on the proposed changes, which include:
• Property owners who planted trees to meet the landscape ordinance would need permission from the city to remove and replace those trees.
Replacement trees would have to meet or exceed the minimum size originally required. For example, an owner could replace a 10-inch diameter tree with a two-inch diameter tree, if that was the size required when the original tree was planted.
• No clear cutting on sites three acres or larger unless the owner has an approved, site-specific development plan. Property owners must remove all debris.
• If owners are developing their property in phases, they could not clear cut and grade the entire tract at once.
For example, a developer with a subdivision going up in three phases could only clear cut and grade the property needed for the construction of phase one. Later, when subsequent phases would begin construction, the developer could clear and grade additional land.
• Developers could earn tree preservation credits only for trees identified on their approved landscape plan. The minimum tree size required to qualify for tree preservation would be four inches.
• Prior to grading, developers would have to submit a plan showing how critical tree roots would be protected.
Trenching, placing backfill, driving or parking equipment over critical roots would be banned, as well as dumping hazardous materials close to trees.
• A minimum of 30 percent overall tree canopy would be required for new development. That’s one tree per 500 square feet of gross surface area.
Landscaping required by the city, including parking lot trees, would count toward the 30 percent.
• Developers would have a one-year grace period after clearing their property to start construction.
If they don’t build, they would have to replant at least 36 shade trees per acre.
If construction ceases for a year on a phase where streets or utilities have been installed, developers would have to replant all the trees that were required in the landscape plan.
Trees are one of Salisbury’s “major capital assets” and contribute to the overall health and livability of the city, Queen said.
“A community’s urban forest is an extension of its pride and community,” he said.
Trees increase property values, attract businesses and tourists, conserve water, reduce soil erosion and more, he said.
A subcommittee of the Tree Board worked for two years on the proposed changes, longer than he ever expected, Queen said.
Members took field trips to sites in Salisbury that were clear cut and never developed or replanted.
They met with environmentalists from Catawba College and the LandTrust for Central North Carolina, as well as city experts in stormwater.
Trees reduce air pollution, and Queen pointed out that Rowan County is designated as a non-attainment area, part of a larger region around the Charlotte with air quality problems.
Salisbury and Rowan are not doing enough to protect the environment and improve air quality, Queen said, and preserving the city’s tree canopy could help.
While many city ordinances can be debated, “one thing that isn’t debatable is our environment,” Queen said.
Mayor Paul Woodson, who worked for three years developing the city’s sign ordinance, thanked Queen and his committee for their service and commended their thorough proposal.
Contact reporter Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.