STEELE
CREEK NEWS
Charlotte
Adopts Rules to Preserve Trees in New Subdivisions
(March 18, 2002)
At its meeting tonight, the Charlotte City Council amended the
Charlotte City Code to add language in the Tree Ordinance to limit
clear cutting of trees in single-family residential developments.
The change requires retention of at least 10% of the existing tree
canopy and offers incentives to developers who exceed the standards
by allowing more homes than otherwise would be allowed. Developers
also must preserve most larger trees and plant new trees along
streets.
The city's Tree
Ordinance already requires preservation and planting of trees in
commercial developments, but now residential developments are
covered as well.
The change not
only applies to areas within Charlotte but also in the Charlotte
extraterritorial planning and zoning jurisdiction (ETJ), which
includes all of the unincorporated portion of Steele Creek.
Much of Charlotte
already is developed, but the new rules will have a major impact on
areas such as Steele Creek that expect a significant amount of new
development in upcoming years.
New residential
developments in Steele Creek will be significantly different from
those built in the past due recent changes in development policies
such as the new tree and sidewalk requirements and restrictions on
cul-de-sacs. Expect city planners to continue to be aggressive in
developing new rules that will shape the future of Charlotte and
Mecklenburg County.
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