In order to receive a zoning certificate, a variance, a conditional use permit, subdivision plat approval, development plan approval or site plan approval the planting of trees along roadways for all new development shall be required in accordance with the following Street Tree Requirements:
(a) Deciduous canopy trees (street trees) shall be planted no less than twenty-four (24) feet and no more than thirty-six (36) feet on center unless otherwise approved by the City Engineer.
(b) Street trees must be planted in the tree lawn, between the sidewalk or leisure trail and the road pavement. Tree lawns shall be a minimum width of six (6) feet.
(c) Street trees shall be a minimum of three (3) inches caliper (trunk diameter at four and five-tenths (4.5) feet above the ground).
(d) Any tree on the list of undesirable species in Section 1183.14 shall not be planted as street trees.
(e) Street trees shall be located so that a twenty-five (25) foot sight triangle is maintained at street intersections.
(f) Street trees shall be located not less than ten (10) feet from fire hydrants, street lights, and/or utility poles.
(g) The property owner shall be required to maintain all street trees for a period of two (2) years after the tree is planted and to replace any tree which dies within such two (2) year period.
(h) Street trees should be of the same genus and species planted continuously along the length of each street.
(i) No person shall, as a normal practice, top any tree within the public right-of-way. "Topping" means the severe cutting back of limbs within the tree's crown to such a degree so as to remove the normal canopy or disfigure the tree.
(j) Street tree limbs extending over a sidewalk shall be trimmed to such an extent that no portion of the same shall be less than seven (7) feet above the sidewalk. Tree limbs extending over streets shall be trimmed so that no portion of the same shall interfere with the normal flow of traffic.
(k) The City, or any licensed utility, shall have the right to, but will not be required to, plant, prune, maintain and remove trees, plants, and shrubs within the established right-of-way lines of all streets, highways, and alleys as may be necessary to ensure public safety, enhance the symmetry and beauty of such public grounds, or remove such trees as may be injurious to sewers,. electric power lines, gas lines, water lines or other public improvements.
(l) No person shall, by any type of construction, reduce the area of a tree lawn within the street right-of-way.
(m) On all properties within the Downtown area, to avoid interference with pedestrian traffic, only approved street trees may be planted. Such trees shall conform to the size, spacing, and placement of similar trees already in place on adjacent and nearby properties. In addition to the approved street trees, tree wells may also contain flowers or other ground cover plantings.
(Ord. 08-2022. Passed 5-4-22.)