PLEASE VISIT THE SITE OF
THE LITTLE ROCK TREE FOUNDATION!
littlerocktrees.org
See Kate's Corner for the story!!
YOU HAVE HELPED MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN LITTLE ROCK!
ACT NOW !
You should be aware that there are proposed laws in the review process that will address the management of trees, hillsides, and landscapes within the city of Little Rock. These laws will pass or fail within the next few weeks. We request that you become familiar with the changes these proposed ordinances would make. If you decide that you support them, you must make it known soon.
This website will provide you with all the information that you need. On the following pages, you will find the history of the ordinances, a summary of the ordinances, links to the entire ordinances, and a list of suggested action on your part along with other wonderful information.
History:
Appalled by the rapid destruction of the environment with which Little Rock has been naturally blessed, concerned people pushed for attention on this critical situation. As a result, the Land Alteration and Landscape Review Task Force was created by the City of Little Rock in July, 1998, to review the City's land alteration and landscape ordinances and make recommendations for improvement. The Task Force has reviewed relevant Little Rock ordinances, as well as related ordinances from other cities and states.
(To see the entire ordinances, click the City link at the bottom of this page).
Summary:
Land Alteration and Landscape Ordinance Review Task Force
Recommendations to the City of Little Rock
The recommendations now being made to the Little Rock Planning Commission and Board of Directors are intended to promote strong development standards that will enhance the desirability of Little Rock as a place to live and do business.
The Task Force recommendations relate to three areas:
Tree Protection and Preservation
Landscaping
Excavation
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Tree
Protection and Preservation
Little Rock lacks a comprehensive Tree Ordinance. The Task Force recommends an expanded Tree Ordinance with the following major provisions:
- Stresses the importance of trees for the environment of Little Rock.
- Calls for a permit prior to the removal of trees on all properties except single family residences of less than one acre.
- Calls for a landscaping and tree preservation plan prior to issuing a permit.
- Provides penalties and corrective measures for unlawful tree removal.
- Calls for preservation and/or planting of trees in buffers and parking lots.
- Provides for increased number of trees and larger planting areas in parking lots.
- Recommends the appointment of an arborist.
- Additional provisions relating to trees in public right-of-way, tree protection, and pruning.
- Requires soil and water for planting areas.
- Recommends amortization of trees in barren parking lots: 50% compliance in 5 years; 100% compliance by 8th year.
- Provides for penalties and/or corrective measures for unlawful/unsuccessful tree preservation.
Landscaping
The Task Force recommends the following major amendments to the City's existing Landscape Ordinance:
- Calls for the use of a registered landscape architect for commercial developments over two (2) acres.
- Increases screening requirements for certain vehicular use areas.
- Increases tree and other planting requirements within perimeter landscape strips for certain adjacent properties.
- Increases tree planting requirements within new parking lots.
- Adds irrigation and soil preparation requirements to enhance preservation of landscaping.
- Increases perimeter buffer requirements.
- Provides list of recommended trees.
- Calls for "In Lieu", or trust, account for funds to go for planting trees elsewhere.
Excavation
The Task Force recommends the following amendments to the City's existing Land Alteration Ordinance:
- Encourages developers to work with the terrain rather than altering it.
- Calls for permits prior to land alteration or tree clearing.
- Revises grading standards to provide for:
Improve erosion control protection measures.
Conceal hillside scars.
Limit size of hillside cuts.
- Requires landscaping of slopes and cuts.
- Provides penalties and corrective measures for unlawful excavation.
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The Task Force members:
Dottie Funk, Co-chair - City Beautiful Commission
Herb Hawn, Co-chair - Planning Commission
John Baker - Tree Streets
Bob Callans - Bob Callans & Associates
Mina Drause - River Mountain Neighborhood Action Plan
Mary Underwood - League of Women Voters
Ramsey Ball - Millennium Land and Buildings Co.
Russ McDonough - Winrock Development Corporation
Mark Johnson - Rock Creek Neighborhood Plan
Troy D. Laha - SWLR UP
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Special thanks to:
David Gillespie
Matt Bradley
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Persons interested in additional information or in providing input on these proposals should contact the Land Alteration and Landscape Ordinance Review Task Force at (501) 918-5280.
The Citizens FOR the Land Alteration Ordinances sponsor this website.
To see the reality of the situation in Little Rock and the urgent need for common sense solutions, see the
You Can Make a Difference in the Quality of Life in Little Rock !
Upcoming Events and Meetings You Should Know About Are Listed on the
For UPTODATE News and the Latest Information,
click on: Kate's Corner
Questions? Want to Contribute?
Contact the Citizens FOR the Land Alteration Ordinances via E-mail:
Thank you for your input !
· webpages developed by: Ron Barron ronbarron@arkie.net