A major purpose of this chapter is to protect all protected trees which are not required to be removed to allow approved construction to occur. The following procedures are required.
(A) Construction plan requirements. All construction plans shall include the requirements noted in Appendix E.
(B) Prohibited activities. The following activities shall be prohibited within the limits of the critical root zone of any protected tree subject to the requirements of this chapter.
(1) Material storage. No materials intended for use in construction or waste materials accumulated due to excavation or demolition shall be placed within the limits of the critical root zone of any protected tree. However, this restriction shall not apply to material storage in areas exempt from the tree protection and replacement requirements (for example, building pad, driveway, patio, parking lot and the like.)
(2) Equipment cleaning/liquid disposal. No equipment shall be cleaned or other liquids deposited or allowed to flow overland within the limits of the critical root zone of a protected tree. This includes, without limitation, paint, oil, solvents, asphalt, concrete, mortar or similar materials.
(3) Tree attachments. No signs, wires or other attachments, other than those of a protective nature shall be attached to any protected tree.
(4) Vehicular traffic. No vehicular and/or construction equipment traffic or parking shall take place within the limits of the critical root zone of any protected tree other than on an existing street pavement. This restriction does not apply to single incident access within the critical root zone for purposes of clearing underbrush, establishing the building pad and associated lot grading, vehicular traffic necessary for routine utility maintenance or emergency restoration of utility service or routine mowing operations.
(5) Grade changes. No grade changes shall be allowed within the limits of the critical root zone of any protected tree unless adequate construction methods are approved by the Landscape Administrator or if grading is as directed by the city's drainage inspector.
(6) Impervious paving. No paving with asphalt, concrete or other impervious materials in a manner which may reasonably be expected to kill a tree shall be placed within the limits of the critical root zone of a protected tree except as otherwise allowed in this chapter.
(C) Preserved tree. A protected tree shall be considered to be preserved only if a minimum of 75% of the critical root zone is maintained at undisturbed natural grade and no more than 25% of the canopy is removed due to building encroachment.
(D) Prior to construction. The following procedures shall be followed on all types of construction projects (including residential subdivisions, commercial, multi family, industrial developments, residential builders and municipal/public).
(1) Tree flagging or marking. Trees that are approved by the Landscape Administrator for removal shall be flagged with bright fluorescent orange vinyl tape wrapped around the main trunk or marked with bright fluorescent orange paint at a height of four feet or more such that it is very visible to workers operating construction equipment. This shall not include the flagging or marking of all protected trees adjacent to right-of-ways within approved residential subdivisions during the construction of the roadway. Trees that are not flagged or marked shall be saved and protected by fencing in accordance with the requirements in division (D)(2).
(2) Protective fencing. In those situations where a protected tree is so close to the construction area that construction equipment might infringe on the root system or is within 20 feet of the construction area, a protective fencing shall be required between the outer limits of the critical root zone of the tree and the construction activity area. Four feet high protective fencing shall be supported at a maximum of ten feet intervals by approved methods. All protective fencing shall be in place prior to commencement of any site work and remain in place until all exterior work has been completed.
(3) Bark protection. In situations where a protected tree remains in the immediate area of intended construction, the tree shall be protected by enclosing the entire circumference of the tree with 2" x 4" lumber encircled with wire or other means that do not damage the tree. The intent here is to protect the bark of the tree against incidental contact by construction equipment.
(E) Permanent construction methods.
(1) Boring. Where it is not possible to trench around the critical root zone of a protected tree, boring of utilities under the protected tree shall be required. The length of the bore shall at least be the width of the critical root zone and the depth of the bore shall at least be 24 inches.
(2) Grade change. In situations where the grade change within the critical root zone of a protected tree exceeds the limits noted in division (B) of this section, the procedures noted in the city standard detail sheet shall be required.
(3) Trenching. All trenching shall be designed to avoid trenching across the critical root zone of any protected tree. Although this section is not intended to prohibit the placement of underground services such as electric, phone, gas and the like, the placement of these utilities is encouraged to be located outside of the critical root zone of protected trees. Irrigation system trenching shall be placed outside of the critical root zone with only the minimum required single head supply line allowed within that area placed radially to the tree trunk.
(4) Root pruning. All roots two inches or larger in diameter which are exposed as a result of trenching or other excavation shall be cut off square with a sharp medium tooth saw and covered with pruning compound within two hours of initial exposure.
(Ord. 1220, passed 7-27-98) Penalty, see § 99.99