Urban Forestry commission reviews draft zoning code Chapter 8 on tree preservation, parkland and landscape standards

The Stow City Urban Forestry Commission on an unspecified meeting date reviewed a draft update to the city’s zoning code (Chapter 8) that would formalize tree-preservation, open-space and landscape standards for new development and redevelopment.

The draft sets applicability rules for different project types, creates a new “social gathering” points system for larger developments, adds residential park-space requirements for subdivisions of 15 or more units, clarifies tree-preservation measurement and replacement standards, and revises parking-lot landscaping and buffer requirements.

Why it matters: the draft would change what developers must include on-site or pay the city to provide (fees in lieu), create minimum parkland or recreation-impact obligations for larger residential subdivisions, and set replacement/fee formulas for the removal of mature trees. Commissioners said those items will have long-term effects on canopy cover, maintenance workloads and where developers choose to satisfy requirements.

Planning staff said the code is being prepared for the planning commission’s recommendation at the first meeting in October, followed by a first reading at council (targeted Oct. 23) with a goal of final action before the end of the year. The draft presented to the commission is focused on three main areas: (1) applicability and a new social-gathering…