SUBJECT:
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Public Hearing on a Proposed Ordinance to Amend the Vienna Town Code, Chapter 18, Zoning, Article 25, Site Plan Control Provisions, Section 18-251, Where Applicable and Section 18-252, Site Plan Specifications (Addition Of Minimum Tree Canopy Requirements For The Single-Family Detached Residential Zones).
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EXPLANATION AND SUMMARY:
Throughout the past two calendar years, the Town's Community Enhancement Commission (CEC) has been investigating the possibility of regulating tree removal on private property for single lot development. Article 25, Chapter 18 of the current Town Code provides for tree canopy requirements for subdivisions, commercial properties and site plans. However, it does not require maintaining a minimum tree canopy for single-lot redevelopment activities. To help remedy the loss of the Town's tree canopy, the CEC worked with the Town Staff and participated in a number of Town Council work sessions to formulate new Code provisions for this purpose. An ordinance draft was forwarded to the Planning Commission for review and recommendation by the Town Council at its January 6, 2014 regular meeting.
The Planning Commission first considered the CEC's proposal during a public hearing conducted during its January 22, 2014 meeting. Members of the CEC testified in support of the proposal and a citizen expressed some concern with proposed legislation that prescribes warranties after the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for a new home. Commissioners also spent a considerable amount of time quantifying the term "any development" (found in ?? 18-251 and 18-252 of the Town Code) as it pertains to subsequent construction activities in the RS detached residential zones. The public hearing was continued to provide ample review of the potential language changes and to explore the aforementioned warranty issue.
The Planning Commission received additional public testimony (both for and against the proposed ordinance...
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