Beechmont Neighborhood Association

Tree Protection Standards

Purpose

The urban county government recognizes the importance of trees as a vital component in counterbalancing the effects of an urban setting by providing
cooling shade, by reducing noise and glare, by significant contribution to urban aesthetics, by improving air quality through carbon dioxide reduction and replenishing oxygen to the atmosphere, by improving surface drainage and reducing the effects of storm draainage flooding, by filtering non-point source pollution from area streams,by stabilizing soil thereby minimizing erosion, and providing habitat for the wildlife. The purpose of this article is to establish standards and procedures for countywide tree protection in new developments.

(to be continued)

How does this pertain to us ?

Since we are already a densely developed area, we would have to modify this to take in existing development as well as park land. What do you think? Put it in the discussion category of our web page.

interpreiations and definitions

The provisions of this article shall be construed so as to liberally carry out its purpose in the creation and enhancement of an urban forest in Lexington-Fayette County. Words used in this article shall be construed as having their common meaning or when specified, as defined in other Articles in this Zoning Ordinance except as they may be defined herein below.

Best Management Practices - A practice or usually a combination of practices that are determined by the Division of Engineering regulations to be the most effective and practicable means of controlling point and non-point source pollutants at levels comparable with environmental quality goals.

Bole - The main stem of the tree structure also considered the trunk of the tree up to where main branches begin to stem.

Buffer - Avegetation strip or management zone of varying size, shape, and character maintained along a stream, wetland, lake, road, recreation site, boundary, or different vegetative zone to mitigate the impact of actions on adjacent lands, to enhance aesthetic effects, or use as a best management practice.

Critical Root Zone - A circular area surrounding a tree of which the center is the center of the bole of the tree and the radial measurement is one (1) foot per inch up to twenty-four (24) inches DBH and 1.5 feet per inch DBH of trees over twenty - four (24) inches DBH.

DBH - Diameter at breast height. The total ctoss sectional diameter
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