2012 Florida Urban Forestry Institute University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida Tree Ordinances - Developing Tree Policy

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1 2012 Florida Urban Forestry Institute University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida Tree Ordinances - Developing Tree Policy green laws research project Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, Louisiana Prof. Buck Abbey, ASLA 2008 Frederick Law Olmsted Award Arbor Day Foundation

2 You and the Thin Green Line 2012 URBAN FORESTRY INSTITUTE

3 Sustainable Tree Ordinances Greening the Green Laws 2012 URBAN FORESTRY INSTITUTE

4 Web Site Information

5 A Little History? Laws of the Indies 1 st Zoning Ordinance Philip II of Spain Ord Building Towns & Landscapes Philip II Builder of the West Indies

6 A Little History Pennsylvania Shade Tree Ordinance 1700 set the pattern What to Plant. Where to Plant Why to Plant. William Penn Real Estate Entrepreneur

7 A Little History Ayres v. City of Los Angeles Planning Commission 1949 Okay to Plant, Buffer and Superior Courthouse Los Angeles California Screen The Street

8 Contemporary Landscape Codes 1960 s Private Design Standards Sea Pines Plantation Charles E. Fraser *40 pages of covenants *A vision of nature. *Self imposed building code *Buffers & Canopy Charles E. Fraser Hideo Sasaki Landscape Architect

9 GREEN LAWS DEFINED Nature In The City? Cities to be sustainable must contain adequate open space, clean air and a wholesome environment flanked by trees, meadows, streams and opportunities for recreation and social gathering. Cities must be designed with native materials and natural processes to stand up to time. What i s tree Ordinance Olmsted relied upon trees, parks, and urban forests to provide ecosystem services for mankind. Nature in the city is sustainable. Frederick Law Olmsted

10 2012 Florida Urban Forestry Institute University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida Tree Ordinances - Developing Tree Policy green laws research project Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, Louisiana Prof. Buck Abbey, ASLA 2008 Frederick Law Olmsted Award Arbor Day Foundation

11 What Type of Ordinances?... Municipal Landscape Codes Community Tree Ordinances Urban Forestry Ordinances Land Development Regulations On-Site Storm Water Regulations Others

12 What is tree Ordinance What are Tree Ordinances? Public policy toward trees. Policy to: Public Forestry Operations Manage Public Trees, Damage to Public Trees, Tree Planting & Maintenance, Tree Removal Permits, Organize Community Forestry, Special provisions for -street trees -view shed protection, -arbor day programs, -regulate licensing, - organize tree boards.

13 Contemporary Tree Ordinances Contemporary Tree Ordinances Today tree ordinances consist of much more. They include. Standards for: Tree Planting & Landscaping Tree Protection, Tree Preservation, Tree Canopy Standards, Special provisions for -special tree recognition, -tree permits, -replacement mitigation, -tree banking, -tree foundation funding, - very active tree boards, -increased regulatory standards.

14 Contemporary Tree Ordinances Landscape Codes & L D R s Landscape Codes and Land Development Regulations rebuild and protect nature in the city too. Standards for: Landscape Design, Irrigation Design, Turf Grass Clearing, Grading & Storm Water, Tree Canopy Standards, Shading Special provisions for -street yards, -buffers, -screening, -VUA interiors, -VUA screening, - street walls -habitat protection specifications & details

15 Landscape Design Components Drive Thru Service

16 Greening The Codes? Greening the codes The future of tree ordinances is to become more integrated with community landscape codes, habitat protection regulations and on-site storm water management requirements. Trees and the urban forest must be seen by citizens As an integral part of the city that provides sustainable services.

17 Greening the codes Greening The Codes? To green tree ordinances, landscape codes and tree preservation ordinances they must be crafted to illustrate that the urban forest and its green infrastructure system provides a range of fundamental ecosystem services that will not only green a community but will help to sustain it.

18 Sustainability Sustainability? Defined as urban forest practices that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs *Need for clean cities.. *Need for access to nature.. *Need for a healthy environment *Need for a well defined and managed forest canopy that provides Ecoservices for: climate modification air quality top soil protection clean water storm water management peace and enjoyment human well being protective animal habitat all to reduce costs, increase economy

19 Contemporary Tree Ordinances Written In Three Parts. Context -Purpose -Applicability -Definitions Technical Standards -Urban Forest Planning -Perpetual Forest Management -Strengthening & Replacement -Species Management -Urban Forest Linkage -Sustainability Metrics* Administrative -Public Involvement -Education -Permits -Penalties -Appeals * Reference to ASLA-SSI, USGCB-LEED, City Trees, NHBC, FYN etc

20 Sustainability Metrics Sustainability Metrics? green building practices;* tree protection; tree canopy standards; surface permeability site clearing controls; connectivity and accessibility to open space, parks, and trees; storm water management; shading, air quality planting standards appropriate species; and * Sustainable Sites Inititive, USGBC LEED -management of the urban forest.

21 Changing Codes in Irvine, California Irvine Ranch Water District 1970 s 1990 s 2000 s Turf Grass and Intensive Irrigation Allowed Turf Grass Replaced with Ground Covers Minimal Irrigation Native Plants and Little if any Irrigation Required From 1992 to 2000 irrigated land doubled with only a 3% increase in water consumption

22 Examples of Sustainability

23 Some Examples of Sustainability Santa Monica, California The Sustainable City Solutions Sustainable City Plan Community education Storm water management Increased shade Pollution reduction Urban wildlife sanctuary

24 Some Examples of Sustainability San Antonio, Texas Tree Ordinance Solutions Tree Preservation Preserve native habitat Stormwater Infiltration Efficient irrigation Mitigate development Reduce heat island effect Promote walkable streets

25 Some Examples of Sustainability Athens/Clarke, Co. Georgia Tree Ordinance Solutions Community Tree Program Tree Council (CTC ) Tree Species Protected Landmark Trees Minimum Tree Canopy (45%) 20-60% by zoning district Conserved Tree Canopy Cover 0% - 35% Tree Management Plan Forest Management Activities Community Forestry Management Limited to public trees, street trees, parking lot trees, open space trees

26 Some Examples of Sustainability Homestead, Florida The FYN Ordinance Solutions Tree preservation Water harvesting Xeriscape Design FYN-LBMP s --Proper design --Understanding soil --Design with native plants --Turf grass reduction --Irrigate efficiently --Mulching --Florida Friendly gardening

27 Bioswale Streetside Drainage Detention VUA Detention Storm Water Management Facilities

28 VUA Screen Streetside Drainage Detention Integrated Design

29 Florida Yards & Neighborhood Program Bay Friendly Landscaping Precedence Louisiana Yards & Neighborhood ASLA Sustainable SITES Initiative USGCB LEED Program California Green Build Program NHBA Green Building Guidelines Greening codes NHAB

30 A Tree Ordinance Workshop t\ Small Communities Theresa Schretzmann- Meyers Medium Communities Kimberly Pearson Large Communities Ken Pelham Greening codes

31 Workshop Questions t\ What is unique about your tree ordinance What are the strengths? What are the weaknesses? What needs to be changed?w Greening codes

32 Report Back 11:15 t\ Each group will report back a summary of suggestions for improvement to the tree ordinance or the landscape ordinance Greening codes

33 Sustainable Components of Urban Forestry

34 Planted Buffers Planted Street Yard Buffers Forest Buffers Streambank Buffers Parking Area Buffers

35 Preserved Forests Acer rubrum Carya glabra Fagus grandifolia Quercus shurmardii Taxodium distichum

36 Conservation Areas Preserved Wetlands Natural Forest Floor Preserved Habitat

37 On Site Storm Water Management Street Detention Grassed Swale & Micro-Detention

38 Green Buffers Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana Green Belt

39 Detention Basins Roadway Detention Rain Gardens Grassed Swales Open Space Detention Parking Lot Detention

40 Retention Basins Preserved Wet Pond Constructed Wetland Open Space Retention

41 Storm Water Planting Iris fulva Juncus effusus

42 Production Staff PRODUCER- Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality PROJECT DIRECTOR- D.G.Abbey, ASLA Abbey Associates, Inc. RESEARCH ASSOCIATE- Mary Blakeney RESEARCH AND GRAPHICS- Adam McGovern RESEARCH ASSISTANT- Laurie Schween TECHNICAL ASSISTANTS- Dan Farrah Dana Delaun Matt Faust Jonathan Edwards PHOTOGRAPHS - Abbey Associates, Inc.; ASLA; Mary Blakeney. Permission Granted.

43 This project was funded by a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency through the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.