Chapter 145-1
A. The Town Council finds that it is in the interest of the residents and businesses of the Town of Centreville to preserve, protect and increase the Town's tree canopy. Because large trees require many years to mature, the Town places a high value on protecting mature trees and planting new, large-maturing trees that will provide tree canopy for generations to come.
B. The mature tree canopy contributes to public health, safety and welfare in many ways:
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Contributes significant aesthetic value.
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Stabilizes soils, reducing soil erosion and stormwater runoff.
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Cools the environment through the provision of shade and the evaporation of water during leaf transpiration.
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Decreases the urban heat island effect and reduces the volatile organic compounds released from parked vehicles.
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Filters particulate matter from the air and absorbs carbon dioxide and other pollutants.
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Provides food and shelter for plant and animal species.
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Increases property values.
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Provides buffers between land uses, reduces noise and reduces light glare.
C. This chapter is intended to maintain and increase Centreville's tree canopy cover and to protect existing mature trees. Centreville hereby establishes a goal of increasing the Town's tree canopy cover from approximately 27% in 2007 to 35%. This goal is to be achieved through the requirements of this chapter and other sections of the Code; the efforts of private property owners to plant and preserve trees; and the Town's program of tree care and planting on Town property.
D. The requirements of this chapter are in addition to other tree planting or preservation requirements of the Code, including Chapter 69, Forest Conservation, Chapter 138, Subdivision Regulations, and Chapter 170, Zoning.