§ 6-8. New construction and development.

Applicants for new construction or development on any unimproved lot shall retain as many trees as possible. Applicants for town building permits on such lots shall file a site plan which shall indicate any trees that are to be removed and proposed replacement trees. The applicant or his or her agents are required to perform said listings at his or her cost and provide the results to the town administrator or designee. The bond requirements of section 6-7 shall apply to the applicants for the new construction or development. Applicants may only remove the trees specified in their site plan and only after obtaining a permit for such removal from the town administrator or designee.

(1)

Minimum sizes, types of required trees.

a.

All replacement trees shall comply with the provisions of the Prince George's County Landscape Manual.

b.

All deciduous trees shall be a minimum of two and one-half (2½) inches caliper at planting.

c.

All evergreen trees shall be a minimum of five (5) feet in height at planting.

d.

Ornamental trees, as approved by the town administrator or designee, of at least six (6) feet in height may be substituted for as much as thirty (30) percent of the required deciduous trees.

(2)

Amount of planting required.

a.

If disturbed area is less than one thousand (1,000) square feet, the area shall be planted with a minimum of five (5) inches caliper of deciduous trees, and total of five (5) feet in height of evergreen trees.

b.

If disturbed area is more than one thousand (1,000) square feet, it shall be placed under one of the following categories.

1.

Each lot which is improved by a single-family detached or duplex house shall be planted with a minimum of eight (8) inches caliper of deciduous trees per lot, of ten (10) feet in height of evergreen trees per lot, and of twelve (12) shrubs per lot.

2.

Each lot which is improved by a townhouse or garden court dwelling unit shall be planted with a minimum of seven and one-half (7½) inches caliper of deciduous trees per unit, of ten (10) feet in height of evergreen trees per unit, and of ten (10) shrubs per lot.

3.

Each apartment development and associated parking area shall be planted with a minimum of thirty (30) inches caliper of deciduous trees per gross acre, of eighteen (18) feet in height of evergreen trees per gross acre, and of fifteen (15) shrubs per gross acre.

4.

Each retail commercial development and associated parking area shall be planted with a minimum of eighteen (18) inches caliper of deciduous trees per gross acre, of eighteen (18) feet in height of evergreen trees per gross acre, and of fifteen (15) shrubs per gross acre.

5.

Each commercial office development and associated parking area shall be planted with a minimum of twenty-four (24) inches caliper of deciduous trees per gross acre, of twenty-four (24) feet in height of evergreen trees per gross acre, and of fifteen (15) shrubs per gross acre.

6.

Each industrial development and associated parking area shall be planted with a minimum of eighteen (18) inches caliper of deciduous trees per gross acre, of eighteen (18) feet in height of evergreen trees per gross acre, and of fifteen (15) shrubs per acre.

7.

In all developments where the subject use abuts a less intensive use, additional screening, to consist of trees, shrubs, fences, walls or a combination thereof, may be required to block noise and light.

8.

The town administrator or designee shall be empowered to waive the above requirements in proportion to the trees that are undisturbed.

(3)

Suitable soil. No tree shall be planted where the soil is too poor to ensure growth, unless the property owner excavates an adequate sized hole, and replaces the material removed with suitable soil.

(Ord. No. 92-4, 5-14-92)