Sec. 9.3. Existing Vegetation Credits for Required Landscaping

9.3.1. Existing Vegetation

A. Healthy vegetation that is retained can be credited toward landscaping requirements.

B. Vegetation to be saved shall meet all requirements of paragraph 8.3.2, Protection of Existing Vegetation.

9.3.2. Existing Trees

A. Healthy canopy A roof-like cover extending over an outdoor area for the purpose of sheltering individuals or equipment from the weather. trees can be retained and credited toward landscaping requirements if each tree proposed for credit has a dbh of at least one inch, or larger if specified elsewhere in this ordinance, and all requirements of paragraph 8.3.2, Protection of Existing Vegetation, are satisfied. Credit given for existing, healthy, protected trees shall be a number equal to the value of the dbh of each protected tree divided by two inches, but no fraction thereof.

B. Credit shall be allocated on a one-for-one basis for healthy evergreen trees, deciduous understory trees, evergreen understory trees or shrubs. The size of material shall not be taken into account, except where such material is below the required minimum planting size, in which case no credit shall be granted.

C. In order to receive credit for any retained trees, at least 75% of the tree protection zone The permeable land area around the base of a tree in which disturbances are prohibited in order to protect the roots of a tree and aid the trees survival. Tree protection zones are measured as the greater of: A.  Six-foot radius around the tree; or B.  One-foot radius for every inch of dbh. shall remain undisturbed. Root zones extending into rights-of-way shall be considered disturbed areas, unless legally binding protections are placed upon those areas. Trees whose tree protection zones The permeable land area around the base of a tree in which disturbances are prohibited in order to protect the roots of a tree and aid the trees survival. Tree protection zones are measured as the greater of: A.  Six-foot radius around the tree; or B.  One-foot radius for every inch of dbh. fall outside the protected area, but are within larger groups of trees, shall not count toward any landscaping requirements but shall be left in place unless they are diseased or otherwise hazardous to the integrity of the buffer A portion of property designated to mitigate impacts between land uses or transportation routes, or to protect water features from pollutants. or the development Pursuant to NCGS 160D-102, any of the following: a. The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure. b. The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land. c. The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. 160D-802. d. The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land..

D. Existing trees located within 30 feet of power lines or within utility easements A grant by a property owner for use by the public, a corporation or persons of an area of land for specific purposes. shall not be eligible to receive credit, unless the tree is a species appropriate for underneath power lines or received approval to be located within the utility easement A grant by a property owner for use by the public, a corporation or persons of an area of land for specific purposes..

9.3.3. Sampling

A. All trees, shrubs and groundcover within a minimum 20-by-20-foot area for each unique stand of vegetation proposed to be retained shall be inventoried and identified on the landscape plan.

1. Photographs can be used to supplement the sample but shall not replace it.

2. For purposes of determining preserved tree coverage, shrubs and groundcover need not be included in the sampling.

B. The Planning Director, or designee, can require additional sample areas as needed to ensure a representative sample of the existing vegetation.