(A) Any plant material which otherwise specifically satisfies the requirements of this article may count toward satisfying all the requirements.
(B) One large tree may substitute for two small trees or five shrubs.
(C) One small tree may substitute for three shrubs.
(D) (1) Healthy, existing or transplanted large trees may substitute for required vegetation in accordance with the following:
(a) Each two-inch or more caliper, but less than six-inch caliper, large tree (ten-foot minimum height) may substitute for one large tree or two small trees or five shrubs;
(b) Each six-inch or more caliper, but less than ten-inch caliper, large tree may substitute for one and one-half large trees or three small trees or six shrubs;
(c) Each ten-inch or more caliper, but less than 24-inch caliper, large tree may substitute for two large trees or four small trees or eight shrubs; and
(d) Each 24-inch or more caliper large tree may substitute for three large trees or five small trees or ten shrubs.
(2) For purposes of this section, when a substitution allowance results in a fraction of a number, then the fraction shall be disregarded and the substitution allowance shall be to the next lower whole number.
(3) In cases where the trunk of the tree(s) is not accessible for measurement, a minimum height requirement of 30 feet may substitute for the minimum diameter requirements in the case of subsections (D)(1)(a), (b) and (c) above, and a minimum height of 40 feet may substitute for the minimum diameter requirement in the case of subsection (D)(1)(d) above.
(E) For each existing six-inch-plus caliper large tree retained within a non-residential parking area island and/or peninsula, the minimum parking space requirement shall be reduced by up to three spaces, at the option of the owner, to provide the area of minimum protection set forth under subsection (G)(2), and minimum open space area set forth under section 9-4-268(I), provided the total parking space reduction is not more than 30% of the minimum parking space requirement.
(F) (1) Except as further provided, minimum non-screening Bufferyard B setbacks set forth under section 9-4-119, and/or minimum street right-of-way building setbacks for residential and nonresidential uses may be reduced by up to 10% at the option of the owner, where the reduction is necessary to retain an existing ten-inch-plus caliper large tree, provided:
(a) The tree is determined, by the Director of Planning and Development Services or his or her designated representative, to be either natural growth (seedling) vegetation or that the tree has been in existence for not less than 20 years at the current location, otherwise previously transplanted trees shall not qualify for purposes of this section;
(b) The reduction is indicated upon an approved site plan; including the location, type and caliper of the subject tree, and the building separation and future no-build zone as further described;
(c) A building to tree trunk separation of not less than ten feet is maintained at the time of initial construction;
(d) No new future buildings, expansions or additions to existing buildings, or other impervious areas including parking areas and/or drives, shall be allowed to encroach into a designated future no-build zone, described as a ten-foot radius from the center of the trunk of the retained tree; and
(e) A six-inch or greater caliper large tree shall be substituted in replacement of any dead or diseased tree qualified under this requirement, at the location of the removed tree, within 60 days of removal of the tree by the owner or within the period following notice by the city.
(2) The setback reduction allowance shall not apply to single-family and two-family attached (duplex) development or associated accessory structures.
(G) Existing substitute material standards.
(1) Existing substitute material shall be protected from site development activities. Specifically, there shall be no change of grade (cut or fill), compaction of soils, storage of construction material, debris, chemicals and/or machinery or other activities which otherwise inhibits the percolation of surface water within the “Area of Minimum Protection” as described under subsection (G)(2) below.
(2) Area of minimum protection (by plant material type).
(a) Large tree: Eight-foot radius or drip zone, whichever is less.
(b) Small tree: Six-foot radius or drip zone, whichever is less.
(c) Evergreen shrub: Four-foot radius or drip zone, whichever is less.
(3) Barrier required. Existing substitute material shall be screened by means of a visible barrier which identifies the limits of the area of minimum protection.
(4) Qualifying the location and material type; site identification.
(a) Prior to site plan approval the existing substitute material shall be identified upon the preliminary vegetation plan in sufficient detail to ensure compliance with this section.
(b) All large and small trees subject to this section shall be individually flagged or paint-marked at the time of submission of the preliminary and final vegetation plan, except as further provided.
(c) Where there are 20 or more qualified large and/or small trees located within a continuous stand the boundary of the tree line may be indicated on the preliminary and final vegetation plan in lieu of individual marking. For purposes of this section, the term “continuous stand” shall be construed as a unified and closely spaced group of trees which is void of impervious encroachments. Scattered individual or groups of trees which do not, or will not upon maturity, share common canopy space and/or a narrow linear row(s) of trees shall not be construed as a continuous stand.
(Ord. No. 95-112, § 1, passed 10-9-1995; Ord. No. 96-6, §§ 2–4, passed 1-11-1996; Ord. No. 98-144, § 7, passed 11-12-1998; Ord. No. 05-123, §§ 1, 2, passed 10-13-2005; Ord. No. 06-75, § 1, passed 8-10-2006; Ord. 19-045, § 1, passed 9-12-2019)