HB 529

Abstract

Conservation and replacement of trees during development process. Expands certain existing local government authority to conserve or replace trees during the development process by expanding such authority statewide. The bill allows localities to establish higher tree canopy replacement percentages based on density per acre. The bill also alters the current process for granting exceptions to a local ordinance by altering a provision that requires the granting of an exception when strict application of the ordinance would result in unnecessary or unreasonable hardship to the developer and replacing it with a requirement that the locality concur with such determination. The bill permits localities to monitor and assess the condition and coverage of tree canopies at development sites during the time period up to 20 years' maturity of the planted trees. The bill makes numerous technical amendments.

Conservation and replacement of trees duringdevelopment process. Expands existing local government authorityto conserve or replace trees during the development process by allowinglocalities to establish higher tree canopy replacement percentages,based on density per acre, lot size, or any other measurement relevantto the practices of the locality to achieve MS4 stormwater nutrientreductions, mitigate urban heat islands, increase resilience to climatechange, including reducing coastal and inland flooding, and mitigateair pollution. The bill also alters the current process for grantingexceptions to a local ordinance by removing a provision that requires the granting of an exception when strict application of the ordinancewould result in unnecessary or unreasonable hardship to the developerand replacing it with a determination by the locality that the strictapplication would be unreasonable in a specific instance. The bill makes numerous technical amendments.