Columbus, Georgia

TREE ORDINANCE DISCUSSIONS





Topic: Speculative Grading



Ref: Sec. 18 (g) last paragraph pages 36 & 37.



-Definition of ?Natural Area?, Sec. 2 page 6.



-Perimeter Plantings, Sec. 8(b), pages 20 & 21.





Intent: To address the issue of clearing land in anticipation of later

development or land being cleared & left in that state for extended periods of

time.





Opposing Positions:



(1) - Clearing is necessary so a prospective buyer can ?visualize? it.



-If cleared & buffer required within one year, it requires developer to plant

trees before project is completed.



-Would prefer that plan be met before issuing CO or final inspection.



(2) - Removal of all trees prevents a prospective buyer?s option of saving &

using any mature or existing trees as part of their plan.



-Many sites are cleared and just left sitting there, some times for years.







OPTIONS





- Developers can do grading, etc., if they do one of two things:





1. Leave an undisturbed natural buffer (30') along public ROW. (Buffer can

disappear upon approval upon submission and approval of a tree preservation /

planting plan.)





2. Prepare a planting plan for that portion of the development

adjacent to the public ROW & plant as required per applicable ordinance:



?Buffer Ord. - One tree every 100' or 50' depending on width of planting strip.



?Tree Ord. - One small maturing tree every 30' or one large maturing tree every

50'.























ADDITIONAL CONCERNS





(Position 1) Para 16g, page 37



(Buffer) will be planted along the ROW immediately or, at the latest, during

the next planting season.





(Position 2) Precludes land being cleared & left undeveloped for extended

periods of time.