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Staff previews tree‑preservation tweak and new housing incentive program for Siloam Springs
Summary
Planning staff told the commission they will propose a tree preservation ordinance revision to treat trees removed within a building footprint at a 1:1 replacement ratio (instead of 1:5) and previewed a custom housing incentive program that will come to the board and planning commission for review in April–May.
At the end of the March 10 meeting staff announced several upcoming items for the planning commission and board. Planning Department staff said minor corrections to the recently adopted unified development code (UDC) will return as ordinance revisions that must first come to the commission per state statute. The largest proposed adjustment involves the tree preservation ordinance: staff said the ordinance’s intent was to allow a 1:1 replacement ratio for trees removed solely within the footprint of a new structure, and that an unintended 1:5 replacement requirement is creating unnecessary red tape.
Planning staff explained the current rule requires planting five replacement trees for every significant tree removed after the seventh tree cut, a formula intended to account for mortality, but that the original intent allowed a 1:1 ratio for trees removed only within the building footprint. Staff said they will recommend restoring the footprint exception so necessary trees removed for a building’s footprint are replaced at 1:1 rather than 1:5.
Staff also previewed a custom housing incentive program for Siloam Springs, developed from two years of stakeholder feedback. The item will be presented at an upcoming board workshop in early April and will proceed through an interactive public workshop and subsequent planning commission review because it includes code components.
