The Town of Davidson’s new Natural Assets and Tree Advisory Board will meet Thursday, Jan. 7, at Town Hall to elect a chair and vice chair, review its plans and mission, and hear a presentation on the town’s 2010 tree pruning plans.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Administrative Conference Room at Town Hall, 216 S. Main St.
Town planner Lauren Blackburn and public works manager Ron McMillen will be at the meeting representing the town staff.
Natural Assets and Tree Advisory Board members appointed by the Town Board on Nov. 10, 2009, include: Bruce Henderson, John Shryock and Jennifer Fielder (terms end 2010); Mary Jane Leach, Pam Dykstra and Doug Shoemaker (terms end 2011); and Rob Phocas, John Kennedy and Rebecca May (terms end 2012).
The formation of a Natural Assets and Tree Advisory Board was a key recommendation of a task force last year that studied the town’s trees and other major natural assets, and how to preserve them. The Town Board adopted a Planning Ordinance amendment last spring that established the new committee with goals to:
- Review landscape and tree protection, and open space plans for developments
- Advise the Town Board on the acquisition and use of open space.
- Advise staff on amendments to the tree and natural asset ordinances
- Hear grievances to staff decisions on tree permits
- Provide recommendations for a Tree Canopy Management Plan
- Review utility best pruning standards
- Organize and lead outreach and education initiatives related to tree and natural asset protection and management (such as an Arbor Day ceremony)
- Provide recommendations to the Town Board regarding Town of Davidson tree maintenance and planting grant applications
- Review Town of Davidson grant applications to state, federal, or non-profit agencies funding tree and natural resource protection and management initiatives
The committee’s next meeting will be Feb. 4.
LINKS AND DOCUMENTS
Jan. 7, 2010, Natural Assets and Tree Advisory Board agenda, on the town website.
April 14, 2009, text of the Davidson Planning Ordinance Amendment adopted by Davidson Town Board that established the Natural Assets and Tree Advisory Board, CLICK HERE> (PDF)
