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

Introduced By

Sen. Chap Petersen (D-Fairfax) with support from co-patrons Del. Al Eisenberg (D-Arlington), Del. David Toscano (D-Charlottesville), Del. Vivian Watts (D-Annandale), and Sen. Dave Marsden (D-Burke)

Progress

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

Description

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. Read the Bill »

Status

01/29/2008: Merged into SB710

History

DateAction
01/09/2008Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/08
01/09/2008Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/08 087980293
01/09/2008Referred to Committee on Local Government
01/29/2008Incorporated by Local Government (SB710-Ticer) (15-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)