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Charlotte launches Tree Canopy Action Plan 2; staff seek new data and county partnership
Summary
City urban-forestry staff said June 2 they will develop a Tree Canopy Action Plan 2 (TCAP 2) using updated 2025 land-cover data and ecosystem-benefit analysis, with a goal of returning to Council with results and recommendations in winter–late 2026.
Charlotte’s urban-forestry staff presented an initial scope and timetable on June 2 for a second Tree Canopy Action Plan (TCAP 2), saying new 2025 tree-canopy data and improved analytical methods make this a timely update.
Tim Porter, Chief Urban Forester, told the Transportation Planning & Development Committee TCAP 2 will include countywide land-cover analysis, ecosystem-benefit modeling, a review of development regulations and an assessment of whether the city should retain or refine its ‘‘50 by 50’’ canopy goal. ‘‘Our most recent data was reported in 2023 and shows roughly 47% canopy cover,’’ Porter said. ‘‘Methodology and imagery have improved; this is a good time to produce an updated baseline and to explore more scalable goals and implementation strategies.’’
Staff identified an opportunity to partner with Mecklenburg County sustainability staff to collect a shared data baseline so that city and county analyses can be comparable. Porter said county sustainability director Aaron Stanforth is engaged in early discussions. Staff proposed a phased schedule: new canopy data collection over the summer and fall, a winter 2026 staff report on analysis and engagement results, and a potential late-2026 plan adoption.
Councilmembers asked whether the TCAP 2 work would change zoning or other regulatory tools; Porter said the plan will evaluate existing regulations (tree save, planting requirements and implementation mechanisms) and review programmatic, regulatory and partnership approaches. Staff said they will evaluate the effectiveness of current percent-tree-save rules and planting requirements, assess canopy quality (not just quantity), and present options for regulatory and programmatic changes if the data show adjustments are necessary.
What’s next: staff will refine the scope, pursue a county data partnership, produce updated canopy analysis in late 2025/early 2026, and return with a public report and recommended next steps for policy and implementation.
