Losing Canopy, Gaining Density: Trees in Matthews

There’s no doubt about it, the number of mature trees is a source of pride for Matthews. Mature trees increase property value, clean the air, and even increase feelings of well-being. With it’s dense canopy, Matthews has been part of the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA for 19 years.

As available land decreases, high-density housing is the urban planning fix. With that comes tree loss.

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How does Matthews protect its tree canopy?

The Appearance and Tree Advisory Committee provides the opportunity for residents to work together and make recommendations to the town concerning trees. The group meets the third Monday of every month at 7:00 p.m. at the Matthews Community Center, and regularly presents their discussions and findings to the Board of Commissioners at Council meetings.

The Town has documents and mechanisms in place for environmentally-friendly growth as well. Tree Protection and Landscaping Regulations is a 23-page section of the Unified Development Ordinance sets standards and regulations to protect the tree canopy during development.

Depending on the zoning code, developers are required to save 5% or more of the tree canopy. According to the Unified Development Ordinance, R-12 and R-20 have the highest tree save at 20%, and HUC, C-MF, TS  have the lowest at 5%. In comparison, Charlotte has a 15% tree save for all commercial development. In residential areas, if the lot has 10% tree coverage then at least 10% must be saved. If the coverage is less than 10% but greater than 5%, then 5% must be saved.

In November 2017, after approval by the Matthews Board of Commissioners, the Town added a Payment-In-Lieu of Fee for tree save. If the property cannot be developed and maintain minimum tree save requirements, the developer must provide proof of hardship to the Town. Once approved, the In-Lieu of Fee is calculated using the tax value and acreage and set aside in a Tree Canopy Fund. The Fund is primarily used for the installation and maintenance of trees on public property. In the event any of the commercial tree save area cannot be protected, trees must be re-planted at 150 percent of the area removed.

Charlotte also has an In-Lieu-Of fee, though their program is slightly different and only available to commercial development. The Pay-In-Lieu monies are pooled and the City purchases wooded areas that will be permanently protected. As of 2016, 65 acres have been purchased, including 15 acres near the McAlpine Creek Greenway. According to one report (2016) the City averages $160,000 a month payment in lieu of.

Current Development and Trees in Matthews

Per town records and approved rezoning projects (found here), eleven residential projects have been approved between February 2017 and April 2019. The largest of those include:

• Proffitt Dixon (Old 51/Matthews Mint Hill Road): Zoned ENT, 35.50 acres, +/- 7.06-acre tree save;

• Bainbridge (Old 51/Matthews Mint Hill Road): Zoned R-12MF (CD), 30.752  acres, 4.79 acres tree save;

• Four Corners Subdivision (Sam Newell and Keziah Road):  Zoned R-VS and SRN and R-15 (CD), 26.73 acres and 3.2-acre tree save;

• Taft Development (Monroe Road): Zoned R-12 MF (CD) 21.450 AC and a committed 3.22 acres of tree save, though that did not actually happen.

Those four projects total 114.432 acres with a 18.27-acre tree save. Including the other projects, over 177 acres were rezoned.  According to plans, the approximate tree save for these projects is just under 27 acres.

How Do We Prevent or Correct Mistakes?

After Taft Development cleared the tree save area on Monroe Road for the future Residences Galleria, tree preservation has been a hot topic in town. How does Matthews enforce rezoning and tree save agreements?

According to the Town of Matthews’ Unified Development Ordinance (pages 2-12 and 2-13) violations of the tree protection or landscaping provisions approved by the Town is subject to any one or combination of penalties. Penalties are in addition to, and not in lieu of, compliance to all requirements and payment of any financial penalties. One such penalty calculates damages at two dollars ($2.00) per square foot for area damaged or destroyed, not to exceed fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).

Destruction or removal of a tree greater than twelve inches (12”) DBH without prior Town approval may be subject to a civil penalty. The amount is determined using the value of the tree as listed in the most current edition of The Guide for Plant Appraisal, published by the International Society of Arboriculture in conjunction with information provided by the ISA’s Southern Chapter.

Another penalty for not following the UDO by posting a Landscape Guarantee bond, having it approved, then failing to plant the required trees and shrubs as agreed upon with the town can incur a “fine of five hundred dollars ($500.00) per tree or shrub not installed, per day of ongoing violation. The fine is due within ten (10) days of the citation, and is not to exceed twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) per day of violation.” (UDO 155.214. E..4., page 2 - 14)

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How do Matthews’ penalties compare to Charlotte? Charlotte's Tree Ordinance includes an additional criminal penalty for Tree Ordinance violations: “Any person who knowingly or willfully violates any section of this chapter shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor and may, upon conviction thereof, be subject to punishment as provided in section 2-21. This remedy is in addition to any civil penalties that may be assessed.” An additional planting requirement may also be assessed as a nonmonetary penalty.

It’s difficult to determine the percentage of tree cover pre-development from the site plans available on the Town website.

What is apparent? At the current rate of development in Matthews, maintaining the dense, mature tree coverage looks to be a difficult task.

#ThrowbackThursday: March 22, 2007

With permission, The Beacon is archiving past issues of Matthews Record (also called Matthews News and Record and The Matthews News) articles online. Throwback Thursday articles will include relevant content still facing Matthews today. This story was originally published March 22, 2007 and was written by Janet Denk.

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Community that honors its trees, is a healthy one

The Benefits of Trees in the Community

Environmental Benefits

Reduction of pollution. Trees absorb carbon dioxide produced by automobiles, creating cleaner air. They reduce noise pollution on busy streets and create a barrier for private areas. Trees also reduce water runoff, stabilize soil and filter pollutants, reducing costs associated with storm water control and water treatment facilities.

Economic Benefits

When strategically placed, trees can decrease utility bills by up to 50 percent. Property values of homes with tress or homes located near city parks are reportedly 20 percent higher. In addition, studies show that businesses on tree-lined streets experience a 12 percent increase in sales versus those without trees.

Social Benefits

Trees and green spaces do more than provide shade or a place to play. Neighborhood parks and gardens encourage tighter-knit communities, which lowers local crime rates. Research shows that productivity at businesses with outdoor areas is higher while stress and aggression levels are lower. Children also benefit from being exposed to green. Students who have a view of trees and greenery are proven to perform better at school.

Arbor Day celebrations across the nation will have impacted the earth in many ways. Hundreds of volunteers will have planted more than 1,000 large trees and even more seedlings across the country.

Check out www.arborday.org to learn more.

Matthews celebrated Arbor Day last Friday at the Matthews Community Center. Rainy weather couldn’t dampen the spirits of those in attendance. “The event was the largest Arbor Day gathering ever in Matthews, with well over one hundred adults and children present,” Town Landscaper Pat Meehan said. Several awards were given to members of the community for their efforts in tree planting and promoting tree awareness in the community. A group of enthusiastic fourth graders from Christ Covenant School received special recognition for finding and nominating a state championship tree right here in Matthews - a sourwood tree located on their school grounds.

The South Windsor Homeowners Association were recognized for their group effort in creating a special place for trees in the community. Their teamwork and commitment have been lauded as the kind of volunteerism that mayor Lee Myers is seeking to make this community great. Almost a hundred kids, ages 2 through 12, listened to the speakers and participated in a number of educational activities that were arranged by the Parks and Recreation staff. Erin Reed of the Matthews Areas Secular Cooperative gave an important and heartfelt speech on her love affair with trees.

“It was a great event,” Meehan reiterated. “The celebration was all about the importance of trees in our community.”

He applauded the work of the town’s landscape division, who planted and maintained over 100 trees this season. “They did a great job,” he said of the staff, “and down the road, this town will be a much better - and greener community because of what they have accomplished.”

“We are grateful to all the volunteers dedicated to revitalizing urban forests. Their continued support helps us create inspiring and educational Arbor Day Celebrations. In addition, it amplifies our year round efforts to communicate the importance which trees have in controlling global warming, reducing pollution and noise levels, and contributing to improved lifestyles in many other ways.””

— John Rosenow, President of the National Arbor Day Foundation.

#FiveForFriday: A Morning Minute News Round Up

This #FiveForFriday Morning Minute News Round Up is for the week of March 11 through March 15, 2019.

News About Town {updated}: Matthews police have identified the body found on East John St. as Mr. Shawn Antonio Horton (DOB – 07/14/1972) of Charlotte, NC. His body was found in a ditch on the 1800 block of E. John Street (the outer side of John St. past I-485). A damaged silver and purple Huffy bicycle was found nearby. The victim seems to have died several weeks ago. As police piece together Mr. Horton’s last few days, they’re asking for tips and leads. If you have any, call Matthews Police Department at 704-847-5555.

News About Town: Last night’s council meeting, in the absence of Mayor Paul Bailey, was led by Mayor Pro Tem John Higdon. It was a rapidly moving meeting with lots of Town business covered, though perhaps most surprising was regarding the recent land-clearing on Monroe Road for Residences Galleria, a 250-unit apartment complex to be built across from Family Dollar. During the rezoning process, the developer and nearby residents agreed upon specific areas for tree save. This week as land clearing began, approximately 200 trees marked to be saved were cut down. Taft Development Group is facing a $50,000 zoning violation fine from the Town and will pay a self-imposed fine of $100,000 in addition. Taft will also plant trees approximately 6-inches in diameter when construction is complete to repopulate the tree save area.

News About Town: According to the Town website, the Trade Street widening at the culvert (where Trade forks off to Weddington and Pleasant Plains) is supposed to be complete this spring. At Monday night’s Council meeting, NCDOT representative Stuart Basham provided updates and a revised completion date. Currently, the contractor, Blythe Construction, has increased the size of the crew but is incurring liquidated damages of $1,000 per day. According to Stuart, the project is expected to be completed by Labor Day.

News About Town: During the NCDOT updates at the Monday Council meeting, some conversation centered on the John St. Widening. Even the Town has been formulating their own approach, NCDOT has continued moving forward with design from Matthews to Monroe. According to Mayor Bailey, NCDOT and the Town are on the same page to delay construction on the portion from I-485 to Trade. The part of John St from I-485 eastward will continue with design and ROW acquisition. Now the Town must present this preference to the CRTPO (the municipal governing body for Charlotte area transportation) to amend the official STIP (a scheduled list of funded transportation projects). It’s a bureaucratic process to change the NCDOT budget in order to delay the downtown Matthews section.

News About Town: Matthews residents have a new park option. The playground equipment at Rice Road Park, a 9.5 acre parcel at 2530 Rice Road, has been installed and is ready for play! The work recently finished, Phase I, included driveway access into the park, an on-site walking trail, one sidewalk connection from Rice Road into the park, playground facilities, parking lot, lighting, benches, and picnic tables, as well as landscaping. According to the Town’s Facebook page, Phase II of the park will include a picnic shelter, additional seating, and enhanced natural areas around the walking trail.

#FiveForFriday: A Morning Minute News Round Up

This #FiveForFriday Morning Minute News Round Up is for the week of March 4 through March 8, 2019.

News Around Town: Gov Roy Cooper appointed Donald Cureton to Judicial District 26 (Mecklenburg County) on February 28. Judge Cureton, an incumbent who lost his District 26A seat to Judge Paulina Havelka in November, fills the seat vacated by Judge Louis A. Trosch, Jr. Judge Trosch now serves the Superior Court of NC.

News About Town: Child Passenger Safety Seat Technicians will perform a safety check for children’s car seats tomorrow, March 6, at the Matthews Police Station, 1201 Crews Road. From 8 a.m until 11:30 a.m. certified technicians will check seat installation for free, no appointment necessary. Bring the vehicle, seat, and child, if possible. The process will take about 20 minutes. If you can’t make it on the 6th, Safe Kids Char-Meck provides this service every other week in Matthews.

One Good Thing: One Good Thing: According to SafeHomes.org, Matthews ranks as the seventh safest city in North Carolina. Admittedly not a well-known website, the site used what appears to be a comprehensive methodology to arrive at their list. We know the Police Department is continually striving to provide a safe town for Matthews and it shows. Congratulations are in order!

News About Town: At Monday’s Town Council Meeting, the Council will have a Public Hearing regarding a change to the Unified Development Ordinance. This change is to the  Approved Tree List and Shrub List (Zoning Motion 2019-1). Changes to the list include the addition of several native species of trees, shrubs, vines, and groundcovers and the exclusion of the most invasive species, such as Chanticleer pears, a cousin to the shallow-rooted, ornamental Bradford pears commonly planted throughout subdivisions of the 70s and 80s.

News About Town: As we indicated yesterday morning, the Monday (March 11) night Board of Commissioner’s meeting agenda is available online.  Items of note include allocating funds for Conceptual Downtown Streetscape Design Work (approved at the last meeting for the amount of $41,250.00), as well as the formal initiation of Zoning Motion 2019-2 to rezone the Stronghaven warehouse property on John Street and Brigman property in the ENT District. There will also be updates on NCDOT projects, Red Brick Partnership, and Republic Services (the Town’s solid waste provider).

Local Leaves: A Growing Collection

We have four more leaves to add to your collection: sassafrass, dogwood, chestnut (variety unknown), and elm. Print out these leaf rubbings to make flash cards, color them in (go crazy on the color or stick to our notes on their typical fall colors) and see if you can match them in to the trees around you. Right click the image to save and print or click here to print.
The first page of leaves can be found here.

Throwback Thursday: A Living Legacy (circa 2009)

With permission, The Beacon is archiving past issues of Matthews News and Record (also called The Record and The Matthews Record) articles online. Throwback Thursday articles will include relevant content still facing Matthews today. This article was originally published June 11, 2009.

A Living Legacy by Janet Denk

The Town of Matthews Appearance and Tree Commission is a program to enhance and protect our town’s tree canopy, and in doing so the town is looking for detailed information about the town’s big trees.

The committee is asking citizens of Matthews to participate in nominating, inventorying, and mapping trees for the Living Legacy Tree Program. This will allow the town to identify and recognize the largest, rarest, oldest and prettiest of trees of various species in Matthews.

All you have to do to nominate a tree for the Living Legacy Tree Program is Pick up a form and fill out the information listed. You will also need to measure the circumference of the tree at 4 1/2 feet up from the ground with a flexible tape measure.

Once your nomination is received, you will be contacted by someone who will come to your location and measure the tree’s girth, height and crown spread. This information will then be recorded in an inventory with other trees nominated. This inventory will supplement the inventory the town currently has of public trees within the Town limits.