A. Generally. New development subject to these standards shall either reforest a portion of the development site after construction in accordance with the standards in Section 5.9.4.B, Reforestation Standards, or shall retain existing trees on the site in accordance with the standards in Section 5.9.4.C, Tree Retention Standards.
B. Reforestation Standards.
1. Amount. Development seeking to meet the standards of this section through reforestation shall identify and reserve a portion of the development site corresponding to at least five percent of the site's total developable area.
2. Location. The preferred location(s) for reforestation areas on an individual development site are listed in the following priority order (see Figure 5.9.4.B.2: Reforestation Location):
a. Areas adjoining unbuildable lands such as riparian buffers, wetlands, steep slopes, or lands within a floodway;
b. Areas that directly abut reforestation areas on adjoining lots;
c. Areas adjacent to existing forest land on adjoining lots;
d. Areas adjacent to parks or conservation lands on adjoining lots;
e. Areas within the flood fringe on the same lot; or
f. Other areas as determined by the Planning Director.
3. Configuration.
a. Species.
i. Trees shall be native or local to Wake County and should be of a variety that can be expected to survive for at least 25 years under normal conditions.
ii. Nuisance species, such as the Tree of Heaven, Mimosa, Bradford Pear, or Chinese Tallowtree shall not be included in reforestation areas.
b. Species Diversity. Trees provided as part of reforestation activity shall be comprised of at least three different species, and differing species shall be interspersed throughout the reforestation planting area.
c. Mature Heights. Trees proposed for planting in a reforestation area shall have a range of heights at maturity.
d. Minimum Size at Time of Planting. Trees proposed for planting shall be from containerized stock. Bare-root stock is not recommended, and use of seeds or cuttings is prohibited.
e. Spacing.
i. Newly planted trees shall be planted to follow contours of land and not planted in rows so as to avoid the appearance of being planted.
ii. Trees shall be located at least six feet from one another and from the edge of the reforestation area boundary, but no greater than eight feet from one another or the reforestation area boundary.
f. Minimum Number of Trees Required. Trees shall be planted at a rate to ensure uniform coverage throughout the reforestation area based on the maximum spacing requirements.
g. Contiguity.
i. Reforestation areas shall be contiguous and shall not be separated from one another on a lot or development site of less than 30 acres in size.
ii. In cases where reforestation is proposed on a lot or site of more than 30 acres in size, individual reforestation areas may occupy two or more separate locations, provided that each individual reforestation area is at least one-half acre in area.
h. Within a Residential Subdivision. When required as part of a subdivision of land for residential purposes, a reforestation area shall be located outside the boundary of individual building lots.
C. Tree Retention Standards. Retention of existing trees on a development site, in accordance with the following standards, may be proposed as an alternative to the reforestation requirements in Section 5.9.4.B, Reforestation Standards.
1. Amount. The number of existing trees to be retained during and after development shall be the minimum necessary to ensure that at least five percent of the total buildable area of the lot or site is located beneath existing tree canopy.
2. Configuration. The portion of the site to be retained under tree canopy shall be compact and contiguous, to the maximum extent practicable (see Figure 5.9.4.B.3: Tree Canopy Retention).
3. Location. The tree canopy retention area shall be located away from areas proposed for grading or the installation of impervious surface.
4. Within a Residential Subdivision. When required as part of a subdivision of land for residential purposes, a reforestation area shall be located outside the boundary of individual building lots.
5. Size of Retained Trees.
a. Only the tree canopy associated with trees of four inches in DBH or larger shall be credited towards the tree retention standards.
b. An applicant shall not be required to submit a tree survey unless trees within the retention area are proposed for credit towards the requirements in Section 5.6, Landscaping.
6. Compliance with Tree Protection Device Standards. In cases where a development is proposing retention of existing trees as a means of compliance with these reforestation standards, the area of tree retention shall be surrounded by tree protection devices during the construction process in accordance with Section 5.9.5, Tree Protection Devices.
(Ord. 2020-36, passed 12-2-2019)