Tree-lined and shaded streets

Intent

To encourage walking, bicycling, and transit use and discourage excessive motoring speeds. To reduce urban heat island effects, improve air quality, increase evapotranspiration, and reduce cooling loads in buildings.

Requirements

Option 1. Tree-lined streets (1 point)

Design and build the project to provide street trees on both sides of at least 60% of new and existing streets within the project and on the project side of bordering streets, between the vehicle travel way and walkway, at intervals averaging no more than 40 feet (excluding driveways and utility vaults).

AND/OR

Option 2. Shaded streets (1 point)

Trees or other structures provide shade over at least 40% of the length of sidewalks on streets within or contiguous to the project. Trees must provide shade within ten years of landscape installation. Use the estimated crown diameter (the width of the shade if the sun is directly above the tree) to calculate the shaded area.

AND

For all projects involving street tree plantings

Obtain a registered landscape architect’s determination that planting details are appropriate to growing healthy trees, taking into account tree species, root medium, and width and soil volume of planter strips or wells, and that the selected tree species are not considered invasive in the project context according to USDA or the state agricultural extension service.