(A) Construction activity plan. A construction activity plan shall be required for any activity that requires the issuance of a building permit. No building permit shall be issued unless and until such plans are submitted to and approved by the Comptroller, or his or her authorized designee.
(B) Contents of construction activity plan. A construction activity plan shall consist of a site plan of the property with a scale no less than one inch equals ten feet, on a topographic map is deemed necessary by the Comptroller, upon which shall be geographically and accurately marked all of the following information:
(1) Location of property, including street address or legal description;
(2) Existing and proposed contours of lot on which the construction activity is to take place;
(3) Building elevations, if applicable;
(4) Name of general contractor or project representative, if applicable, responsible for the proposed construction activity;
(5) A demonstration of the ways in which the applicant will ensure that the level of tree protection is consistent with this subchapter;
(6) The location of all existing trees located on and near the property and the location of any such trees reasonably likely to be damaged or removed during the proposed construction activity;
(7) A tree survey, in accordance with division (G) of this section, and accompanying legend referencing the diameter breast height, genus and species, general condition, and proposed disposition of existing trees and trees that are reasonably likely to be damaged or removed during the construction activity; and
(8) Detailed specification for protection of existing trees and trees that are reasonably likely to be damaged or removed during implementation of the proposed construction activity, including, without limitation, proposed measures such as construction pruning, root pruning, installation of a retaining wall or high visibility plastic mesh fencing, and augering of utility lines when such augering is determined by the Comptroller to be necessary to improve chances of tree survival. Such specifications shall also include the identification and clear delineation of the construction activity area and tree protection area and their respective perimeters.
(C) Integration of existing trees into site and landscape plans. Every reasonable effort shall be made to retain existing trees in all construction and development through the integration of those trees surveyed into the site and landscape plan for the proposed development. Removal of trees designated for preservation in an approved construction activity plan shall only be allowed by amendment to the such plan approved by the Board of Trustees by resolution duly adopted.
(D) Construction activity area. The construction activity area shall be the area of the property that is the smallest area reasonably needed to undertake the proposed construction activity as determined by the Comptroller. The construction activity area shall include the entire area affected by the proposed construction activity, and shall also include any access route across the public right-of-way and the private tree presentation area. Construction activity shall not be conducted or staged in any area of the property located outside the construction activity area. No excess soil, additional fill, liquids, or any construction debris may be placed or located outside the construction activity area. All buildings, structures, and driveways shall be located so as to reasonably involve the least amount of damage or removal of trees, shall nevertheless be consistent with minimum building setback requirements of the zoning code.
(E) Tree protection area. The tree protection area shall be the area of the property included in the construction activity area. No construction activity shall be conducted in the tree protection area. All reasonable measures and protective materials shall be employed to presence and safeguard trees located within the tree protection area. Protective materials shall include, without limitation, the temporary installation of high visibility plastic mesh fencing or other similar materials specifically approved by the Comptroller. All such fencing shall be at least four feet in height and shall be secured to metal posts driven into the ground and spaced six feet apart. All protective measures and materials shall be in place and approved by the Comptroller prior to the commencement of any construction activity. Protective materials shall not be removed until the Comptroller approves such removal after the completion of all construction activity. No attachments, fences, or wires, other than those approved for bracing, guying, or wrapping shall be attached to any protected tree during the construction activity.
(F) Root zones. The root zone of trees on lots adjacent to the lot in question on which construction activity will take place shall be carefully reviewed and considered during construction activity plan review. Every effort shall be made during the architectural layout and design of the proposed development to preserve trees located within 15 feet of the lot line on adjacent lots through sensitivity to the root zone of said trees.
(G) Tree survey. A tree survey, conducted by a degreed forester or arborist certified by the International Society of Arborculture, shall be submitted at the time of construction activity plan review, or as required by the Comptroller and shall include the following:
(1) The location, size and species (both scientific and common names) of all deciduous trees located on the parcel with a trunk size of four inches or greater or a multibranch tree with an aggregate diameter of eight inches or greater, as measured at diameter breast height (54 inches) above the established ground level, all evergreen trees measuring five vertical feet or more in height, and all trees that are located within 15 feet of the lot line on adjacent parcels that fall within the size classifications as listed above. All trees illustrated on the tree survey shall be numbered on the plan and tagged with the corresponding number on the site.
(2) Location of site, scale, north arrow, location of buildings (existing and proposed) and the excavation limits required to construct proposed improvements, location of parking areas, all natural features, and any other relevant existing or proposed information.
(3) The overall condition of each tree such as health and form as it relates to preservation. The condition of the trees shall be based on a 5-point scale with 1 being the best and 5 the worst.
Rating | Description | General Criteria |
1 | Excellent | The tree is typical of the species, has less than 10% deadwood in the crown that is attributable to normal causes, has no other observed problems, and requires no remedial action. |
2 | Good | The tree is typical of the species and/or has 10% - 20% deadwood in the crown, only 1 or 2 minor problems that are easily corrected with normal care. |
3 | Fair | The tree is typical of the species and has 20% - 30% deadwood in the crown, 1 or 2 minor problems that are not eminently lethal to the tree, and no significant decay or structural problems, but the tree must have remedial care above normal care in order to minimize the impact of future stress and to ensure continued good health. |
4 | Poor | The tree is not typical of the species and/or has significant problems such as 30% - 50% deadwood in the crown, serious decay or structural defect, insects, disease or other problems that can be eminently lethal to the tree or create a hazardous tree if not corrected in a short period of time or if the tree is subjected to additional stress. |
5 | Dead | The tree is not typical of the species and/or has over 50% deadwood in the crown, major decay or structural problems, is hazardous or is severely involved with insects, disease or other problems that even if aggressively corrected would not result in the long term survival of the tree. |
The assignment of the category ratings to specific trees is subject to the approval of the Comptroller, or his or her designee. The Comptroller may, at its discretion, retain an urban forestry consultant to assist the village to be paid by the applicant.
(4) The scale of the tree survey shall be consistent with the construction activity plan.
(Ord. 7-5, passed 1-24-07)