1115.06 TREE PROTECTION DURING DEVELOPMENT.

   The following provisions are established to ensure the protection of areas of trees within subdivisions and site developments from unintended damage or destruction and the protection of individual trees in site developments on lots.

   (a)   Tree Preservation/ Removal Plan.

      (1)   Plans Required. Tree preservation and removal plans shall be required as follows:

         A.   Major Subdivisions. A tree preservation/removal plan shall be submitted for review and action at the time a major subdivision final plat is submitted. The plan shall be submitted to the City Arborist for review and recommendations to the Planning Commission.

         B.   Site Plans. A tree preservation and removal plan shall be submitted and approved at the time a preliminary site plan is. The plan shall be submitted to the City Arborist for review and recommendations to the Planning Commission.

               The required content of a tree preservation/removal plans is not required to be presented in a separate plan or drawing, but may be illustrated together with other information on the drawings required for a particular application, landscape plan, subdivision improvement plan, or site plan, except that the City may require that the tree preservation/removal plan be prepared as a separate drawing where necessary

      (2)   Content of Plans. Tree preservation and removal plans shall include the following information, except that the Director of Engineering, Utilities, and Inspection may waive any requirements deemed unnecessary for the subject project:

         A.   The locations, diameters at breast height, and botanic names of all existing trees having a trunk diameter of six (6) inches at breast height (DBH). The locations of individual trees shall not be required to be shown if included within a grouping of trees intended to be preserved and the area is clearly located and dimensioned on the plan.

         B.   Indication of all trees to be removed, marked on the plan with an “X” or other symbol. If the removal will be accomplished in phases, the areas of each phase of removal, sequencing, and schedule shall be indicated.

         C.   Indication of all trees to be installed, including required street trees, marked on the plan and including description of botanic name, size at time of installation, and typical installation method.

         D.   Locations and descriptions of fences or other methods to be installed for the protection of trees to be preserved.

   (b)   Standards for Tree Preservation, Removal, and Installation.

      (1)   Tree Preservation.   

         A.   Trees which are healthy, of desirable species and having a diameter of six (6) inches or greater measured 24 inches from the ground shall be preserved wherever possible.

         B.   Trees to be preserved in major subdivisions or on site developments shall be protected using measures provided in the Engineering Construction Standards or as otherwise approved by the Director of Engineering, Utilities, and Inspection in consultation with the City Arborist.

      (2)   Removal of Trees.  

         A.   The removal of trees which are healthy, of desirable species, and having a trunk diameter of six (6)inches or greater as measured twenty-four (24) inches from the ground shall be discouraged within a major subdivision or site plan. The applicant or owner shall demonstrate that the removal is necessary, unavoidable, consistent with the standards for tree removal below, or that such removal will be mitigated by the installation of additional trees or by the relocation of the trees.

         B.   Trees having a trunk diameter of six (6)inches or greater as measured twenty-four (24) inches from the ground may be removed for the following reasons:

            1.   Located within existing or planned public rights-of-way or permanent or temporary utility or construction easements.

            2.   Located within the ground coverage areas of structures for which building permits have been obtained or within twelve (12) feet from the perimeter of such structures.

            3.   Located within the driveway access to parking or service areas.

            4.   Trees which in the judgement of the City Arborist are damaged, diseased, overmature, which interfere with overhead or underground utility lines, are inappropriate or undesirable species for the location, or are otherwise deemed unsuitable in the professional opinion of the Arborist.

            5.   Trees removed in conformance with a tree harvesting plan approved by the Director of Engineering, Utilities, and Inspection with recommendations of the City Arborist.. The owner of property shall submit a tree management plan prepared by a professional forester which includes the following information:

               a.   A tree management plan which includes an inventory of the trees, a plan and schedule for the harvest, and prescribes a long-term program for forest management.

               b.   A storm water pollution prevention plan.

               c.   Plan for route of removal of trees

               d.   Plan for on-site or off-site disposal of waste

               e.   Bond for road maintenance/cleaning

               f.   Other information the Director of Engineering, Utilities, and Inspection deems necessary.

               g.   The Director of Engineering, Utilities, and Inspection may deny issuance of a permit for tree harvesting in writing.

      (3)   Tree Installation. Trees shall be installed in the locations indicated on the subdivision landscape plan or site landscape plan using methods and materials provided in the Engineering Construction Standards or as otherwise approved by the Director of Engineering, Utilities, and Inspection or the City Arborist.

         (Ord. 2004-013. Passed 3-22-04.)