Wilmington Tree Commission forms Tree Ordinance Review Committee and names members

Tom Boland, chair of the Wilmington Tree Commission, announced at a special July 22 meeting that he is forming a Tree Ordinance Review Committee to evaluate the city's tree-related provisions within Chapter 18 of the Code of Ordinances and to develop recommendations for City Council consideration. "We're looking to develop a committee to actually review the tree ordinances and, you know, push that forward," Boland said, explaining the commission's authority to create the body.

The committee's scope will focus on the land development code's tree protections and planting requirements, Linda Painter, director of planning and development, said. Painter described Chapter 18 as the primary part of the code that sets requirements for tree protection and planting tied to private development. "That is our land development code," Painter said. "So that's going to be the primary focus of that."

Boland announced the initial appointees to the Tree Ordinance Review Committee: Ben Rigby, Robin, Terry Perham, Bridget (last name not specified), Janine (last name not specified), Tom Boland (chair), Kathy Luna and Lloyd Singleton. He said the committee may appoint its own chair and vice chair at its first meeting and staff will post meeting notices. Assistant City Attorney Gina Etsi advised that the chair has authority to appoint committee members without a formal commission motion, and staff confirmed all committee meetings must be publicly noticed and posted on the city's website.

Commissioners and staff emphasized that outside organizations can participate as consultants or educational presenters but cannot be formal voting committee members. "They would be brought in in collaboration and consulting in a consulting role or in an educational role," Etsi said, describing how the Alliance for Cape Fear Trees and others could be engaged as subject-matter experts.

The commission agreed to target the first committee meeting to follow the regular commission meeting on Aug. 26, with staff aiming to post the meeting schedule and notice. Boland urged members to review the urban forest master plan and relevant code sections before the committee convenes and said the committee will determine its work plan and timeline.

Votes at a glance: The commission approved the minutes from its May 27, 2026 meeting by voice vote during the July 22 session and later adopted the commission's 2026 annual report with a small wording correction agreed in discussion; staff will submit the corrected annual report to City Council in August.

What comes next: Staff will post notice for the committee's first meeting and circulate materials (Chapter 18 excerpts and the urban forest master plan). The committee is expected to solicit subject-matter experts and may hold multiple special meetings to review sections of the code.