Staff summarizes 2021 tree-code changes: specimen trees, higher mitigation and tighter root-zone protections

Planning staff provided a detailed presentation on how the 2021 Land Development Code strengthened tree protections. Linda (planning staff) summarized key changes: the code added a specimen-tree category that generally cannot be removed without a variance from the Board of Adjustment (with limited industrial-zone exceptions), expanded the sizes of regulated trees, and narrowed exemptions for residential lots. Street trees are now required in all zoning districts rather than only some zones.

Staff also described mitigation and technical standards: "We tripled the mitigation requirements... the mitigation now is a rate of 2 times the caliper inches of that tree," Linda explained, giving the example that removing a 20-inch tree requires 40 inches of replacement planting, although replacements often come in smaller-caliper stock. Staff described adjustments to shade-coverage targets (15% in older corporate limits; 30% elsewhere) and two technical changes to critical root-zone rules: the CRZ expanded from 1.0 to 1.25 feet per caliper inch, and the allowable disturbance within the CRZ was reduced from 40% to 20% to better protect retained trees.