(a) General. Existing features that would add value to residential development or to the local government as a whole, such as trees, as herein defined, watercourses and falls, beaches, historic spots, and similar irreplaceable assets, shall be preserved in the design of the subdivision. No trees shall be removed from any subdivision nor any been granted. All trees on the plat required to be retained shall be preserved, and all trees where required shall be welled and protected against change of grade. The sketch plat shall show the number or location of existing trees as required by these regulations and shall further indicate all those marked for retention and the location of all proposed shade trees required along the street side of each lot as required by Street Tree Ordinance.
(b) Shade Trees Planted by Developer.
(1) As a requirement of subdivision approval the applicant shall plant shade trees on the property of the subdivision. Such trees are to be planted within five (5) feet of the right-of-way of the road or roads within and abutting the subdivision, or, at the discretion of the Planning Commission, within the right-of-way of such roads. One (1) tree shall be planted for every forty (40) feet of frontage along each road unless the Planning Commission, upon recommendation of the Village Engineer, shall grant a waiver. The waiver shall be granted only if there are trees growing along the right-of-way or on the abutting property which, in the opinion of the Planning Commission, comply with these regulations.
(2) New trees to be provided pursuant to these regulations shall be approved by the Village Engineer and shall be planted in accordance with the recommendations of the Village Engineer. The trees shall have a minimum trunk diameter (measured twelve [12] inches above ground level) of not less than two (2) inches. Only Oak, Honey Locust, Hard Maples, Ginkgo, or other long-lived shade trees, acceptable to the Village Engineer and to the Planning Commission as recommended by the Ohio State Department of Forestry, shall be planted.
(c) Shade Tree Easement and Dedication. The preliminary plat and final plat shall reserve an easement for the planting of shade trees by the developer within five (5) feet of the required right-of-way of the Village. No street shall be accepted for dedication until the Village Engineer shall inform the Planning Commission and Council that compliance, where necessary, has been made with these regulations.