Durham commissioners approve UDO change allowing tree-coverage adjustments in development agreements after contentious public hearing

Durham County commissioners voted 3–2 on May 12 to adopt a text amendment to the county—s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) that would allow applicants to seek changes to tree coverage and tree protection standards as part of statutory development agreements (case TC24000003).

Supporters, including the applicant—s attorney, said the change adds a tool the governing body can use to negotiate development agreements that deliver community benefits, such as affordable housing, in constrained sites. Neil Ghosh, an attorney at Morningstar Law Group representing Lincoln Avenue Communities, told the board that the amendment does not automatically change tree requirements; it only allows applicants to include tree-standard adjustments in a development agreement that the governing body may approve or deny.

Opponents said the amendment would create a new path to reduce tree…