Planning commission recommends tree and woodland preservation ordinance to township board

The Canton Township Planning Commission voted May 5 to recommend amendments to the zoning ordinance that would add tree and woodland preservation regulations and forward the ordinance to the township Board of Trustees for first reading.

Commissioner Watkins moved and Commissioner Egenberger seconded the recommendation; the commission approved the motion on a voice roll call with all members voting yes. Staff said the ordinance language has been refined over multiple previous meetings and will be fine-tuned with township legal counsel before the Board of Trustees reviews it.

Patrick, planning division staff, told the commission the packet includes a summary and links to prior meetings where the ordinance was discussed. “We’re working with township legal counsel on fine tuning a few different parts of the ordinance, but nothing really substantial that would cause us to take another wholesale look at it,” Patrick said during his presentation.

Commissioners welcomed the addition. Commissioner Foster said he was “glad that we are, we finally will have a tree ordinance in Canton.” Several commissioners suggested posting past sessions and expert presentations for public education.

Staff said the ordinance will be presented to the Board of Trustees for a first reading, likely at the board’s June 10 meeting. The commission’s action was a recommendation only; any legal refinements identified by staff or counsel will be highlighted to the board before adoption.

The motion was explicit that the recommendation was subject to modifications by planning division staff and legal counsel prior to township board review.