The following regulations shall apply to existing plant material.
(A) Consideration of existing elements in the landscape design.
(1) In instances where healthy plant material exists on a site prior to its development, the Planning Commission may permit substitution of the plant material in place of the requirements set forth previously in this section, provided the substitution is in keeping with the spirit and intent of this subchapter and this chapter in general.
(2) Existing hedges, berms, walls, or other landscape elements may be used to satisfy the requirements set forth previously, provided that the existing elements are in conformance with the requirements of this section.
(B) Preservation of existing plant material.
(1) Site plans shall show all existing trees which are located in the portions of the site that will be built upon or otherwise altered, and are five inches or greater in caliper, measured 12 inches above grade.
(2) Trees shall be labeled “To Be Removed” or “To Be Saved” on the site plan. If existing plant material is labeled “To Be Saved” on the site plan, protective measures should be implemented, such as the placement of fencing or stakes at the dripline around each tree. No vehicle or other construction equipment shall be parked or stored within the dripline of any tree or other plant material intended to be saved.
(3) In the event that healthy plant materials which are intended to meet the requirements of this chapter are cut down, damaged or destroyed during construction, the plant material shall be replaced with the same species as the damaged or removed tree, in accordance with the following schedule, unless otherwise approved by the Zoning Administrator, based on consideration of the site and building configuration, available planting space, and similar considerations.
Caliper Measured 12 Inches Above Grade | ||
Damaged Tree | Replacement Tree | Replacement Ratio |
Less than 6 inches
|
2½ to 3 inches
|
1 for 1
|
More than 6 inches
|
2½ to 3 inches
|
One replacement tree for each 6 inches in caliper or fraction thereof of damaged tree.
|
(Ord. 92-005, passed 2-17-92) Penalty, see § 154.999