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Morrisville public works seeks ordinance changes for parking, speed limits and tree protections to meet Tree City USA standards
Summary
Public Works presented ordinance edits to correct parking and speed-limit language, proposed no-parking on Airport Boulevard, and proposed Chapter 66 tree-code changes that clarify duties for public trees and permit requirements; staff will return redlined language on Sept. 23 and pursue Tree City USA designation.
Public Works Director Jeffrey Brown presented two groups of ordinance updates on Sept. 9: small traffic-code corrections and broader changes to the town’s trees and shrubs ordinance intended to secure a Tree City USA designation.
Traffic changes: Brown said Kuya Drive’s previous ordinance change had incorrectly applied parking restrictions to both sides of the street; the revision would limit the restriction to one side. He also said Taylor Glenn Drive should be regulated on both sides and that the department is proposing a no-parking designation on Airport Boulevard because neighborhood parking at the road end has created safety and access concerns. Brown noted that Airport Boulevard is an NCDOT road but that the local segment at the neighborhood end presents local enforcement and safety issues.
Tree ordinance (Chapter 66): Brown said the town was deemed ineligible for Tree City USA earlier this year because ordinance language did not clearly assign responsibility for public trees. The proposed Chapter 66 revisions add and clarify definitions, delegate responsibility for public trees to the Public Works Director, establish tree-planting and care standards, prohibit harming public trees without a permit, and create processes for nuisance tree treatment or removal on public and private property. Brown said the redlined ordinance language is in the agenda packet and staff will return the revised ordinances for adoption on Sept. 23.
Council questions and staff responses: Mayor Pam Gomelo and others asked about private-property issues and homeowners’ options when roots or perceived structural impacts prompt a request to remove a tree. Staff confirmed the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) already addresses danger trees that pose a threat to structures or people and said the proposed Chapter 66 clarifies permitting and enforcement for public trees. Staff agreed there is an education opportunity for residents and HOAs to explain which trees are "required" under local rules and when to contact the town before hiring contractors.
Next steps: Staff will bring the finalized ordinance language back to council on Sept. 23 and pursue the Tree City USA application once changes are adopted.
