Tree Protection - Proposed Code Amendments to Protect Trees and Open Spaces

Town of Southern Pines planners will be presenting proposed Unified Development Ordinance text amendments to the next Planning Board and Town Council meetings. These proposed changes are seeking to:

(A) Implement a tree protection program that ensures any tree removal activities on private land in rural areas, West Southern Pines, the high
quality watershed, and large planned developments are done in a manner that protects Specimen Trees, Significant Tree Stands, and significant natural resources.
(B) To ensure appropriate measures are taken for Tree Protection, sedimentation, and erosion control that incorporate natural stormwater
management strategies.
(C) Use design and development standards that enhance community appearance, maintain a unique sense of place, and minimize the impact of new development on the environment.
(D) Develop standards that protect open space, natural areas, and environmental assets as a meaningful component of new development
throughout the community.

Our planners have been working on these for some time with a lot of input from developers, conservationists, and others in the community to find the right balance and still achieve what we heard LOUD AND CLEAR during the Comprehensive Plan development process – protect trees!

Please consider stepping up to the microphone at both this week’s Planning Board (Thursday, 6pm, ES Douglass) and the October 6 Town Council Meeting (Tuesday, 6pm, ES Douglass) and let our appointed and elected officials hear what you have to say about this effort.

Documents to help are:
https://southernpines.net/DocumentCenter/View/11186/OA-03-24-Proposed-UDO-Text-Amendments-Related-to-Tree-Protection-Open-Space-and-Landscaping
https://southernpines.net/DocumentCenter/View/11193/OA-03-24-UDO-Text-Amendments---Redlined-Proposed-Changes

Planning Board
Thursday, September 19
6pm
E.S. Douglass Center
1185 W Pennsylvania Ave, Southern Pines, NC 28387

Town Council
Tuesday, October 6
6pm
E.S. Douglass Center
1185 W Pennsylvania Ave, Southern Pines, NC 28387