proposed new law designed to save Fayette trees

from developers' bulldozers needs the scrutiny of

a committee of developers and county staff, say

members of the Planning Commission.

The

group plans to discuss the tree ordinance again

at its work session Nov. 18, after getting

direction from the county Board of Commissioners

on the idea of appointing a study committee.

During

this Thursday's meeting, 7 p.m. at the County

Administrative Complex, the Board of

Commissioners will discuss the committee idea.

Planning

Commission member Fred Bowen said during last

week's work session that the group also should

consider coordinating its efforts with those of

the Fayetteville government, which is considering

a similar tree protection ordinance.

"I

think it's very possible that the city and the

county are looking at a tree ordinance at the

same time," he said.

Commissioners

have been studying the county's tree preservation

law for several months at the request of the

County Commission. The 20-year-old ordinance

requires that developers preserve or replace some

trees on their developments, but the law provides

no incentive to save existing, larger trees

instead of replacing them with new, smaller

ornamental trees.

The

proposed law also would include residential

developments in the law, and require a tree

inventory and preservation plan for each planned

project. Also, at least half of the trees saved

would have to be outside any undisturbed buffer

that's already required in each development.

Area

developers attended a September public meeting to

air their concerns that the proposed changes may

render the ordinance too strict, and the Planning

Commission agreed to put off action and seek the

County Commission's guidance on giving the

developers more input through a study committee.

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