AGENDA #2

MEMORANDUM

TO:	Mayor and Town Council
FROM:	Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager
SUBJECT:	Public Hearing: Land Use Management Ordinance Text Amendments Changes to Tree Protection Regulations
DATE:	May 14, 2007

PURPOSE

Tonight’s Public Hearing is for the Council to receive comments on a proposal to adjust the tree protection requirements in the Land Use Management Ordinance. 

RECOMMENDATION

We recommend that the Council consider the attached Ordinance language (Attachment 1) which proposes phased adjustment to tree protection regulations.  The proposed interim changes to the ordinance would require a permit to remove trees in a cumulative area of more than 5,000 square feet even if a building permit is not involved.  The interim change will also lower the threshold size of trees that must be surveyed. 

With respect to more substantive changes to the tree protection regulations, the Council plans to hire a consultant with expertise in specialized tree ordinances.  A copy of a draft Request for Proposals is attached (Attachment 2).  Primary elements of the consultant’s work are expected to include:

• A Comprehensive revision of the Town’s current Tree Protection Ordinance, including increased applicability to existing single/two family residential properties, and the standards, permitting, and enforcement processes to be used in it’s implementation.
• An assessment of the potential effects that adoption of the proposed Ordinance would have on property owners and Town resources.
• A methodology for advising affected groups of the proposed new regulations.

Unless directed otherwise by the Council, we are prepared to advertise the Request for Proposals (Attachment 2) following tonight’s meeting.