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Orange Village adopts new tree-preservation ordinance after months of drafting
Summary
Orange Village Council voted unanimously Jan. 8 to adopt an amended tree-preservation ordinance (Ord. 2024-22) that sets new standards for canopy calculation, limits certain fee collections and implements review authority for planning bodies.
Orange Village Council adopted an amended tree-preservation ordinance on Jan. 8 that revises Chapter 1375 of the village code to set standards for calculating required tree canopy and to clarify the role of the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Architectural Board of Review in enforcing those standards.
Council members said the ordinance is intended to preserve canopy on new development and to provide local review authority rather than create a revenue stream. The measure had been recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission and was debated by council members and staff before final passage.
The ordinance removes an ambiguous phrase in the canopy calculation section so the rule now reads: “the minimum amount of the required tree canopy shall be calculated as provided in the table below.” Council staff said that change reduces confusion about how canopy is measured. Council and staff also agreed to separate the fee schedule for permit processing from the ordinance text; staff said they will return with a standalone motion for any administrative charges tied to implementation.
Council members who took part in drafting and reviewing the ordinance included planning and zoning commissioners and advisory members with landscape expertise; councilmembers thanked Kathy Moran, identified in the meeting as a landscape architect, and other volunteers and staff for extensive drafting work. Multiple speakers said the ordinance was developed after researching other jurisdictions and consulting county planners; one council member characterized it as “model legislation” for local tree preservation.
Council also noted that current development proposals already in process will be required to comply with the new rules once the ordinance takes effect according to the adoption timeline discussed at the meeting.
The ordinance was adopted as amended at third reading with a unanimous roll-call vote.
The council president and planning staff said they expect to bring back a separate motion that will spell out any administrative fees for execution of the new ordinance and to cross-reference Chapter 1327 as needed.
The adoption closes a multi-year effort by the village to set local standards for tree canopy on private development and to provide the planning bodies explicit authority to require onsite replacement or additional plantings as a condition of approval.
Council members said projects currently “on the runway” will be asked to comply with the new rules during their permit reviews.
