This section implements the enabling legislation granted to Cary by the North Carolina General Assembly. The purposes of these regulations are to:
(A) Protect existing trees and shrubs located upon undeveloped sites for use as future buffers and streetscapes to meet development plan requirements;
(B) Preserve existing tree and vegetative cover to protect and promote the health, safety, and welfare of the public by preserving the visual and aesthetic qualities of Cary; maintaining property values; maximizing the physical, mental, and social health benefits provided by trees and forests; providing shade and reducing surface temperatures; reducing air pollution and road noise; sequestering carbon; controlling erosion; and reducing sediment and other pollutant runoff into streams and waterways in an effort to protect water quality; and
(C) Create a process whereby some properties are required to obtain a tree clearing certificate, recognize some properties are exempted from the requirement to obtain a tree clearing certificate prior to the removal of vegetation, and establish penalties for removal of all or substantially all of the required vegetation within required vegetation protection areas.