1115.07 REGULATION OF CLEAR-CUTTING.

(a)   Purpose. This section is established for the following purposes:

(1)   To prevent the harmful impacts of indiscriminate clearing of trees by requiring site planning and the use of appropriate methods for forest and landscape management.

(2)   To minimize the unnecessary destruction of trees and to maintain their existence for as long as possible in order to preserve the benefits of dust control, shade, air and water quality improvement, natural habitat, and visual qualities.

(3)   To regulate the impacts caused by the removal of trees in a manner similar to the impacts of other elements of construction and land use activity.

(4)   To encourage the incorporation of existing vegetation, supplemented by planned new vegetation, into subdivision and site plans.

(5)   To permit the appropriate removal of trees to the extent necessary for land development consistent with the regulations of the City

(6)   To permit the appropriate harvesting of trees in a manner consistent with current professional practices.

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

   (b)    Applicability and Exemptions. Clear cutting is prohibited on any property in the City of Aurora except as follows:

      (1)    Tree harvesting in an area of a lot or lots approved for site development in a site landscape plan.

      (2)    Areas located within existing or planned public rights-of-way or permanent or temporary utility or construction easements in compliance with the approved final plat and subdivision landscape plan and the terms of the development agreement.

      (3)    Tree harvesting shall not commence on any individual lot until a building permit is issued for the property.

         A.    Building permits are valid for up to six months, if work has not commenced on the property within six months the property owner shall be responsible for replanting any trees removed.

         B.    The property owner shall submit a tree planting plan to be reviewed and approved by the City Arborist. For every two trees in excess of 6 inches in diameter removed, one tree must be replanted. The number of trees to be replanted shall be based on the approved tree removal plan submitted during the site development process.

         C.   An extension to the requirement for replanting may be granted for up to six additional months for a demonstrated temporary hardship.

      (4)   The area to be clear cut shall be clearly delineated on the plan and in the field prior to any clearing activity and shall be reviewed by the City Arborist. (Ord. 2022-083. Passed 5-23-22.)