Huntersville officials voted unanimously on Sept. 16 to adopt a zoning text amendment (TA25-04) aimed at preserving more mature tree canopy while allowing flexibility for smaller infill lots.

Planning staff explained the amendment retains an overall tree-save target that requires 70% of required tree save for residential projects and 50% for commercial projects to be conserved, with the remainder mitigated through the town's existing mitigation options. Staff said, after planning-board feedback, they added flexibility for lots under two acres: with an arborist report, developers may grade into a tree's drip line under controlled conditions so long as the report demonstrates the tree can be preserved.

Planning staff said they reviewed several recent projects under two acres and found the revised approach would allow most to meet tree-save goals while preserving large, maturing trees. Staff and the planning board recommended approval, citing the Huntersville 2040 Community Plan policies (EOS 3, EOS 3.1 and EOS 4) and the plan's Big Idea to increase the tree canopy by 50%.

ACTIONS: The board approved TA25-04 unanimously. The staff recommendation and planning-board recommendation (vote of 6-2 at planning board; staff cited the planning-board recommendation) were entered into the record. Staff said they will monitor whether the change increases conditional rezonings and bring further refinements if needed.

ENDING: Town staff said the amendment is intended to save mature trees and provide guidance on how to allow limited, arborist-supervised grading on small lots so those trees can be preserved when practical.