Morrisville Unified Development Ordinance

Article 5: Development Standards Section 5.4. Tree Protection 5.4.7. Mitigation for Tree Removal

(2) Each existing specimen tree that is removed pursuant to a reduction or modification of the minimum existing tree canopy retention standard or required per Section 10.4.2.D.3, Tree Replacement Required, shall be replaced with one or more trees with a minimum caliper of five inches each and a cumulative caliper equal to or greater than two times the DBH of the removed tree(s). (3) Required replacement tree(s) shall be planted and maintained in accordance with the planting standards in Section 5.12.3, General Landscaping Standards, and shall comply with all the standards in this subsection. (1) In cases where irreparable damage to or removal of existing trees takes place on a site that is subject to the standards in Section 5.4, Tree Protection, but where a tree protection area has not yet been established, a reforestation plan prepared by a North Carolina Registered Forester shall be prepared and provided to the Town. (2) New vegetation shall be installed within six months of the tree removal or within a timeframe specified by a North Carolina Registered Forester and agreed to by the Planning Director. a. Trees within a Designated Protection Area Replacement trees shall be planted on the development site in the priority retention order, following Table 5.4.4.A to the maximum extent practicable and shall be placed in a tree preservation easement. b. Trees without an Established Protection Area Reforestation shall occur within the entire area where existing trees were irreparable damaged to or removed. Location of Replacement Trees Replacement trees shall be a native listed in the Xeriscape and Native Vegetation Guide (see Administrative Manual). 5. Tree Type Where more than 12 replacement trees are provided, they shall comprise at least four different species, including at least three deciduous species, unless otherwise recommended by North Carolina Registered Forester as part of a reforestation plan. Guaranteed Establishment Period The applicant shall guarantee the survival and health of all replacement trees during an establishment period of at least three years and guarantee any associated replacement costs in accordance with Section 8.2.2, Maintenance Guarantees. If the replacement trees do not survive the establishment period, the applicant shall purchase and install new replacement trees and guarantee their survival and health for a new three-year establishment period. 6. 1. In lieu of providing all or a portion of the replacement trees required by subsection A above, the developer may, with the approval of the Town Council , make a payment to the Town that approximates the cost of purchasing and installing the required caliper inches of replacement trees. 2. The Town Council may approve the use of the in-lieu payment option only upon determining that it is impractical to provide the replacement trees for which in-lieu payment is proposed on the development site. c. Trees without an Established Protection Area 3. 4. Xeriscape and Native Species Required

B. Payment In Lieu of Providing Required Replacement Trees

Morrisville, NC

October 1, 2021

Unified Development Ordinance

Page 5-11