Planning staff and Urban Forestry Committee back ordinance to require shade trees in new subdivisions

The council introduced Ordinance 2-26, which would amend the City of Muncie subdivision regulations to add a requirement for planted shade trees in new subdivisions.

Brandy Engerman read a statement prepared by Planning Commission Director Kylene Swackhammer explaining the origin of the proposal: the Muncie Urban Forestry Committee requested revision to include tree-planting requirements; a focus group with city staff, horticultural and stormwater experts and private landscaping professionals drafted language modeled after the county subdivision ordinance but tailored to city circumstances. The proposed text would require one shade tree per front yard, with corner lots providing one approved shade tree per street frontage, and set a minimum trunk diameter for plantings.

The Planning Commission forwarded the amendment to the council with an 8–0 favorable recommendation. Council members asked questions about where trees may be placed and whether bonds or certificates of occupancy would be affected. Planning staff said placement in the right-of-way was discouraged in some cases and that bonds or C of O restrictions were not included in the draft.

Next steps: Ordinance 2-26 introduced and will return for adoption at a future meeting; planning staff will supply final language and any technical guidance for implementation.