TITLE: Title
Amendments of Town Code Chapter 11 to Allow Managed Natural Landscapes
PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is to provide the Council with a proposed town code amendment to allow managed natural landscapes.
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DEPARTMENT: Planning Department
CONTACT INFORMATION: Laura Janway, Environmental Sustainability Coordinator, ljanway@townofcarrboro.org, (919) 918-7342; Patricia McGuire, Planning Director, pmcguire@townofcarrboro.org, (919) 918-7327
INFORMATION: Chapter 11, Article 1 of the Town Code, Section 11-1, “Definitions,” is amended by adding fourteen new definitions and by renumbering the entire section in alphabetical order. Chapter 11, Article II of the Town Code, Section 11-8, “Noxious Growth,” is rewritten. Chapter 11, Article II of the Town Code, is amended by adding a new Section 11-9, “Managed Natural Landscapes” to allow residents to establish and maintain managed natural landscapes. Managed natural landscapes are beneficial to the Town’s environment and its residents and serve to further adopted Town goals and promote public health, safety, and welfare by:
(1) Promoting microhabitats in urban areas for the conservation of wildlife such as birds, pollinators, and other beneficial insects;
(2) Creating larger, more connected plant populations, helping ensure the future of native plant species by increasing their ability to migrate in response to changes in climate;
(3) Increasing biodiversity;
(4) Meeting the goals of Carrboro’s Bee City USA commitment to promote healthy, sustainable habitats and communities for bees and other pollinators.
(5) Conserving water resources by promoting water-efficient landscaping through xeriscaping and the use of appropriate native plants which, once established, typically require less water than other species;
(6) Reducing the volume of stormwater runoff by promoting infiltration, interception, and evapotransiration
(7) Preventing erosion;
(8) Further protecting water quality by reducing the use of fertilizers and other inputs used to maintain landscaping;
(9) Reducing the negative impacts of landscape maintenance equipment on soil quality, local air quality, and climate change; and
(10) Sequestering carbon.
FISCAL & STAFF IMPACT: There is no fiscal or staff impact related to this amendment.
RECOMMENDATION:r Staff recommends that the Council consider the proposed town code amendments [Attachment A] to allow managed natural landscapes.