The Oxford Board of Aldermen passed an ordinance that will protect older trees when new developments break ground in the city.
L.G. PATTERSON | AP Photo
Missouri’s Michael Sam chases down Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel during a game this year. Sam came out as an openly gay player after the season. Photo: Anna Brigance, The Daily Mississippian.
The Oxford Board of Aldermen voted unanimously Tuesday night to amend the environmental chapter of the Oxford Code of Ordinances in order to modify the city’s tree preservation requirements. The alterations to the article were presented before the Board of Aldermen and passed with a vote of approval from all members of the Board.
The article as it stands aims to stabilize and facilitate ecologically conscious processes such as energy and soil conservation, air purification, and wastewater neutralization, among others.
The amendment states that the preservation of existing trees is a priority and emphasizes the importance of heritage trees. Heritage trees are trees that are native to Oxford and serve an important role in the health and conservation of the city’s forests. Heritage trees include but are not limited to Cypress, Elm, Maple, Oak, Pecan, Catalpa, Magnolia and Sycamore. If a situation arises in which preservation of a heritage tree is not possible, the environmental impact shall be as limited as possible.
The clearing of trees for development isn’t majorly impeded by the amendment, with the exception of sites greater than five acres in size or heritage trees in the Old Town Conservation Overlay District. In addition, the removal of any heritage trees requires the planting of replacement trees “at a rate of one, two-inch caliper tree per two inches of trees removed.”
At the meeting, city planner Tim Akers explained how the amendment will affect future development on city lots. “It’s going to protect a lot of the large trees when somebody wants to develop a site,” Akers said. “It encourages developers to preserve more of the large trees.”
In regards to possible complications that may arise for developers in terms of protected trees on potential sites, Akers said, “They will have to evaluate the site differently than they had in the past based on the location of the mature trees on the site. They’d get benefits by trying to preserve them, so that could very well determine where and how they do their site plan.”
In addition to the ecological benefits, the amendment will serve to enhance the city by buffering out unwanted noise and glare, as well as serving the citizens by offering protection from erosion and flooding. The tree canopy will also be a benefit to the community, according to Akers.
— Kylie McFadden
kemcfadd@go.olemiss.edu
