Hendersonville Tree Board finds new housing development inconsistent with city values
A new housing development planned for Mastermind Lane is making its way through the various city boards but was found to be inconsistent and incompatible with the preservation of tree canopy in Hendersonville by the Tree Board at its meeting on July 19.
The decision was based on a tree canopy study finding more than 340 primarily oak, maple, poplar and pine trees of 12 inch diameter or larger on the property. According to documents provided by the developer to the board, more than 240 of those trees will be removed from this property and not be preserved.
According to the board, the property is one of the few remaining forested properties of this size and tree diversity in Hendersonville.
The development plan has not yet gone before the Hendersonville City Council.
MORE: City Council approves two controversial housing developments
In order to bring the development into consistency with the preservation of tree canopy, the tree board made a motion to recommend the following:
Replace half of the proposed Linden and Zelkova tree plantings with native medium or large canopy trees from the following Genera (Quercus and Acer) to help enhance bird populations by planting trees that produce food (insects) for nesting birds.
All preserved trees must be protected from construction activities as prescribed in the zoning code 15-4c regardless of use as tree credits.
Plant an additional 15 oak, maple, and poplar (2-1/2 inch or larger caliper) trees throughout the open spaces created by this development.
Implement a vegetative planting plan that will enhance the banks of and a 20 foot corridor around the stormwater pond to provide filtration and infiltration of stormwater from turf managed areas and enhance wildlife habitat. The plan must include diverse and appropriate species of native upland and wetland shrubs and perennial herbaceous plants (including warm season grasses, sedges, and plants important to pollinators) selected from the city’s Recommended Landscape Species List for Street Trees and Land Development Projects. No turf grasses should be used.
The development is called the Cottages at Mastermind and currently plans to include 99 townhouse units, a pool and a clubhouse. It is located minutes from the U.S. 64 and I-26 intersection.
This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: New housing development inconsistent Hendersonville Tree Board says
