Commission to discuss tree preservation

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The Delaware Shade Tree Commission will review Tuesday the city’s tree preservation regulations as the planning department is conducting its own review to address concerns of the local building industry.

City Council approved updates to a section of Chapter 1168 of the planning and zoning code to clarify the uses of the tree bank fund, which is an option developers can use instead of replacing removed trees from their project sites. The Building Industry Association of Central Ohio voiced concerns that the planning department officials have said relates to the entire chapter.

Council addressed some of the concerns by removing language that would have codified the tree replacement fee to be no less than $100 per caliper inch, or the diameter of the tree at breast height. The fee is now $100. Council members approved the updates, but requested staff review the chapter to ensure the process is fair to builders compared with comparable communities.

But the commission will conduct its own analysis to examine both public and hidden costs from these developments, its chairman, Paul Olen, told council.

The commission will meet at City Hall, 1 S. Sandusky St., 7 p.m. in council chambers.

By Brandon Klein

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Gazette reporter Brandon Klein can be reached by email or on Twitter at @brandoneklein.

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