For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning. Words and terms used in this chapter, but not defined in this chapter shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the zoning ordinance or other ordinances of the city. Words and terms defined in two ordinances shall be read in harmony unless there exists an irreconcilable conflict in which case the definition contained in this chapter shall control.
AGRICULTURAL USE. The use of land to produce plant or animal products, such as the growing of crops, raising and pasturing of livestock or farming. It does not include the processing of plant or animal products after harvesting or the production of timber or forest products.
BUILDABLE AREA. That portion of a building site exclusive of the required yard areas on which a structure or building improvements may be erected and including the actual structure, driveway, parking lot, pool and other construction as shown on a site plan.
BUILDING PAD. The actual foundation area of a building and the area within six feet of the foundation that is used for construction and grade transition.
CLEAR CUTTING. The removal of all of the trees or a significant majority of the trees within an area.
CRITICAL ROOT ZONE (CRZ). The area of undisturbed natural soil around a tree defined by a concentric circle with a radius equal to the distance from the trunk to the outermost portion of the dripline. (See Appendix A.)
CUT/FILL. Areas where the natural ground level has been excavated (cut) or fill brought in.
DIAMETER AT BREAST HEIGHT (DBH). The diameter of a tree trunk, or, in the case of a multi-trunk tree, the total of the diameter of the largest trunk and one-half of the diameter of each additional trunk, measured at a height of four and one-half feet above the ground.
DRIP LINE. A vertical line run through the outermost portion of the canopy of a tree and extending to the ground. (See Appendix A.)
LIMITS OF CONSTRUCTION. A delineation on the graphic exhibit which shows the boundary of the area within which all construction activity will occur.
MUNICIPAL/PUBLIC DOMAIN PROPERTY. Examples of this would include City Hall, public parks, county property, Corps of Engineers property, State of Texas R.O.W., library, fire stations, water tower sites or similar properties.
PROTECTIVE FENCING. A physical and visual barrier installed around the critical root zone of a protected tree as required by this chapter in order to prevent damage to the tree and its root system.
SELECTIVE THINNING. The process by which noncontiguous protected trees are identified and removed within a heavily wooded area to provide the maximum benefit to the remaining protected trees.
TREE. Any self-supporting, woody, perennial plant which will attain a trunk diameter of two inches or more when measured at a point four and one-half feet above ground level and normally an overall height of at least 15 feet at maturity, usually with one main stem or trunk and many branches. It may appear to have several stems or trunks as in several varieties of oaks.
TREE BOARD. There is hereby created and established a City Tree Board. This Board shall be the Planning and Zoning Commission unless otherwise appointed by City Council.
TREE, PARK. Trees in public parks and all areas owned by the city to which the public has free access to as a park.
TREE, PROTECTED. Any canopy tree that has a diameter at breast height of six inches or greater; any understory tree that has a diameter at breast height of two inches or greater; any specimen tree which is determined by the Landscape Administrator to be of unique and intrinsic value to the general public because of its size, age, historic association or ecological value; or any tree listed in the most current edition of the Big Tree Registry, as amended, published by the Texas Forest Service.
TREE, STREET. Trees on land lying between property lines on either side of all streets, alleys, avenues, lanes or ways within the city.
TREE TOPPING. The severe cutting back of limbs to stubs larger than three inches in diameter within the tree's crown to such a degree so as to remove the normal canopy and disfigure the tree.
(Ord. 1220, passed 7-27-98; Am. Ord. OR-1785-10, passed 9-13-10)