(A) Street trees, as part of the larger urban forest, play a critical role in presenting an attractive city to visitors, potential residents, and businesses. Trees are necessary to provide oxygen, sequester carbon and other chemicals, slow down rain, and improve and direct storm water flow.
(B) The goal of the Street Tree Ordinance incorporated in this chapter is to promote stewardship practices that will guide city employees and private citizens in order to protect the natural urban canopy tree cover and to appropriately select, site, and maintain street trees to maximize benefits and minimize hazard, nuisance, hardscape damage, and maintenance costs. This chapter is considered a critical step towards adopting a comprehensive management strategy for this vital resource, the urban forest.
(Ord. 2019-25, passed on 5-13-2020)