PAWTUCKET DOWNTOWN DESIGN PLAN FINAL ... - VHB.com

DESIGN Landscape
TREE ORDINANCE
GOAL
Improve air and water quality and reduce storm water run-off
Trees boost air and water quality, moderate temperatures, and improve public
health. Trees reduce storm water runoff by intercepting rain in their canopies
and allowing it to evaporate.
Pawtucket currently has approximately 9% of tree coverage! It is the goal
of this plan to establish 30%- 40% tree canopy coverage in downtown
Pawtucket. This effort will leverage the planting of trees collectively by
homeowners, land-owning institutions, and city-sponsored tree planting. A
healthy tree in your yard contributes to the urban tree canopy, which benefits
the environment and all city residents.
Trees live longer when planted together as groves or in trenches with modified
soils. Modified soils allow for greater water and air infiltration which provides a
healthy growing medium for street trees.
PROPOSAL
Establish a Tree Ordinance
• Establish 30% - 40% tree canopy cover ordinance similar to Providence,
RI.
• Protect historic or large trees over 30” diameter by requiring public notice
and city approval prior to removal
• Encourage planting GROVES rather than individual trees
• Establish minimum soil volume of 200 cubic feet (e.g.) 20’ long x 5’ wide x
2’ deep) for urban tree planting
• Require tree TRENCHES rather than PITS (see #4 directly above) with
pervious cobblestone, decomposed granite, or other surface
• Establish municipal tree list of preferred species (with dominant native
selections)
PAWTUCKET’S CURRENT
APPROVED TREE LIST
Pyrus calleryana “Chanticleer”
Tillia cordata
Syringa reticulata
Ulmus parvifolia ‘Drake’‘
Zelkova serrata
Chanticleer Pear
Corzam
Corinthian Linden
Tree Lilac
Drake’ Chinese Elm
“Green Vase”
Japanese Zelkova
124
PDDP DESIGN