Board approves tree removals for 1 Point Boone (Verde) development, asks developer to share landscape mitigation plan

The Summerville Tree Protection Board voted to approve tree removals for the 1 Point Boone development—branded by the applicant as the "Verde" neighborhood—while asking the developer to provide the final landscape and mitigation plan for the board’s review.

Applicant representatives described a mixed housing plan that includes larger perimeter homes and smaller "BUD" (beautiful urban dwellings) interior lots. Project engineers said the plan preserves a 25-foot natural buffer along a blue-line stream and provides park and open-space areas; the applicant noted the site plan shows a pond, sidewalk connections and an HOA parcel for on-site open space. Planning staff confirmed the submittal includes park and common-open-space that meet the Unified Development Ordinance minimums (roughly 5% each).

Board members expressed concern about the density of small lots and whether there is adequate room on-site to plant canopy trees to meet mitigation requirements. The board did not withhold approval but asked that the developer present the full landscape plan to the board (or staff) once it is complete so the board can provide feedback. "The more information we have, the better off we are," a board member said. The motion to approve the tree removal subject to staff oversight and provision of the landscape plan passed by voice vote.