SB448: Trees; conservation thereof during development process for air quality improvement in localities.

Chief Patron

Sen. Chap Petersen (D-34)

Chap Petersen (D-34)
Fairfax, VA
Served: 2008–

Progress

	Introduced
	Passed Committee
	Passed House
	Passed Senate
	Signed by Governor
	Became Law

Status

01/09/2008: In Local Government Committee

View Entire History

Summary

Conservation of trees during the development process for air quality improvement in localities.  Provides that localities may, by ordinance, require conservation of trees during the development process. The bill also provides that the tree conservation ordinance may require that the site plan for any subdivision or development provide for the preservation and replacement of trees on the development site such that the minimum tree canopy or tree cover percentage 10 years after development is projected to be as follows: (i) 10 percent tree canopy for a site zoned business, commercial, or industrial; (ii) 10 percent tree canopy for a residential site zoned 20 or more units per acre; (iii) 15 percent tree canopy for a residential site zoned more than 10 but less than 20 units per acre; (iv) 20 percent tree canopy for a residential site zoned more than five but not more than 10 units per acre; and (v) 30 percent tree canopy for a residential site zoned one to five units per acre. Finally, the bill mandates that any tree conservation ordinance provide for reasonable exceptions to or deviations from the canopy requirements.