AGENDA #4j

MEMORANDUM

TO:                  Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager

FROM:            J.B. Culpepper, Planning Director

                        Gene Poveromo, Development Coordinator

SUBJECT:   Report on Land Use Management Ordinance Text Amendment to Consider Protection of Trees on Private Property and Banning Clear Cutting

DATE:            October 23, 2006

PURPOSE

This memorandum forwards a request from the Planning Board for additional time to consider an amendment to the Land Use Management Ordinance regarding expansion of regulations for protection of trees on single-family and two-family lots and regulation of clear cutting.

Adoption of the attached resolution would reschedule the Public Hearing that has been scheduled for November 13, 2006, to February 19, 2007.

BACKGROUND

During the Council’s January 12, 2006 Planning Retreat, the Council agreed to give priority status to a proposal that would consider amending the Land Use Management Ordinance with respect to the protection of trees on private residential property.   The Council expressed concern with current regulations and the desire to consider greater protection of trees, including prohibiting clear cutting on residential property.

Last June, the Council called a Public Hearing for November 13, 2006, to consider the changes.

On October 17, 2006, the Planning Board requested additional time to prepare a recommendation. 

DISCUSSION

The proposed text amendment would expand the provisions of the tree ordinance.  Following Planning Board review and recommendation, we anticipate returning to the Council with a detailed report with recommendations regarding tree protection regulations. 

RECOMMENDATION

We recommend that the Council adopt the attached resolution, which would reschedule the Public Hearing to consider amendments to the Land Use Management Ordinance regarding the Tree Protection Ordinance to February 19, 2007.