Updating the Land Development Code to Protect Trees in Louisville

The Louisville Metro Council has tasked the Louisville Metro Department of Planning and Design with updating the code to preserve and add trees to the city.

1 minute read

December 18, 2018, 8:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Kentucky

Joe Hendrickson / Shutterstock

"The debate over the future of Louisville’s tree canopy pits the interests of developers and builders against environmentalists concerned with the declining numbers of trees shading Louisville’s neighborhoods," reports Ryan Van Velzer.

The issue is proving a political hot button as the city considers updates to its land development code.

"The problem is that Louisville is losing trees at a rate of about 54,000 per year," explains Van Velzer. "Tree loss contributes to the city’s urban heat island and makes the city’s air quality and stormwater drainage worse."

The article includes more details on the Louisville Metro Department of Planning and Design mandate to protect the city's trees as well as the political debate at community meetings taking place to gauge public opinion on potential developments to the land development code.

Wednesday, December 12, 2018 in WFPL

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.