Columbus, Georgia

Columbus Consolidated Government

Council Memorandum



TO: Mayor and Councilors DATE: August 9, 2005

FROM: Isaiah Hugley, City Manager SUBJECT: Cols. Park Rezoning

___________________________________________________________________

In recent days, I have heard both sides of a debate regarding tree density

units (TDU?s) on this rezoning request. After much thought, I am recommending

Condition B-2 in the staff report goes from 20 TDU?s to 15 TDU?s.



Under the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), the existing requirements are 10

TDU?s. A TDU value is assigned by the caliper size of the existing or proposed

tree to be planted within a one-acre lot. A committee to develop regulations

pertaining to ?Big Box? (retail operations 100,000 square feet or larger)

developments formulated by staff earlier this year, has proposed a 20 TDU

requirement.



The developer already has land zoned General Commercial on this same site. He

could build on this property today and would only be required to meet the 10

TDU requirement. Council has not adopted a 20 TDU requirement and the

development could occur under the existing UDO at 10 TDU?s. Therefore, I am

recommending that the number of TDU?s be set at 15 on this rezoning request.



/ekt