Trees; conservation during land development process for air quality improvement. (HB1437)

Introduced By

Del. David Bulova (D-Fairfax) with support from 32 copatrons, whose average partisan position is:

Those copatrons are Del. Kris Amundson (D-Mount Vernon), Del. Ward Armstrong (D-Martinsville), Del. Mamye BaCote (D-Newport News), Del. William Barlow (D-Smithfield), Del. Bob Brink (D-Arlington), Del. Chuck Caputo (D-Oak Hill), Del. David Englin (D-Alexandria), Del. Frank Hall (D-Richmond), Del. Joseph Johnson (D-Abingdon), Del. Dwight Jones (D-Richmond), Del. Bobby Mathieson (D-Virginia Beach), Del. Ken Melvin (D-Portsmouth), Del. Paula Miller (D-Norfolk), Del. Brian Moran (D-Alexandria), Del. Joe Morrissey (I-Highland Springs), Del. Paul Nichols (D-Woodbridge), Del. Ken Plum (D-Reston), Del. David Poisson (D-Sterling), Del. Jim Scott (D-Merrifield), Del. Steve Shannon (D-Vienna), Del. Mark Sickles (D-Alexandria), Del. David Toscano (D-Charlottesville), Del. Roslyn Tyler (D-Jarratt), Del. Shannon Valentine (D-Lynchburg), Del. Margi Vanderhye (D-McLean), Del. Jeion Ward (D-Hampton), Del. Vivian Watts (D-Annandale), Sen. Kenneth Alexander (D-Norfolk), Sen. Roz Dance (D-Petersburg), Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria), Sen. Lynwood Lewis (D-Accomac), Sen. Dave Marsden (D-Burke)

Description

Conservation of trees during the land development process for air quality improvement in certain localities. Provides that certain 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 eight but less than 20 units per acre; (iv) 20 percent tree canopy for a residential site zoned more than four but not more than eight units per acre; (v) 25 percent tree canopy for a residential site zoned more than two but not more than four units per acre; and (vi) 30 percent tree canopy for a residential site zoned two or less units per acre. Finally, the bill mandates that any tree conservation ordinance provide for certain deviations from the canopy requirements. Amends § 15.2-961.1, of the Code of Virginia. Read the Bill »

Outcome

History