(a) Preserving Existing Vegetation.
(1) Intent. The intent of this section is to preserve existing vegetation unless there are no other site design alternatives. Where healthy plant material exists on a site prior to its development or redevelopment, as determined by the Zoning Administrator (or designee) or the Planning Commission, variations from the landscape requirements contained in this Chapter may be approved to allow credit for such plant material if such adjustment is in keeping with the intent of this section and is further approved by the City Administrator, upon consultation with the Zoning Administrator.
(2) Inspection. All existing vegetation must be inspected by the Zoning Administrator (or designee) to ensure the vegetation is high quality and will fulfill the requirements of this section.
(3) Credit for trees. Credit for tree preservation may be applied at the discretion of the City Administrator, upon consultation with the Zoning Administrator (or designee) at the following rate:
A. For preserved trees of equal to or greater than twelve (12) inches in caliper, a credit of two (2) trees may be permitted but in no case shall the credit reduce trees required in the terrace or parking lots. No credit shall be afforded for a tree that is considered invasive.
B. For preserved trees less than twelve (12) inches in caliper, a credit of one (1) tree may be permitted but in no case shall the credit reduce trees required in the terrace or parking lots. No credit shall be afforded for a tree that is considered invasive.
(4) Credit for shrubs. No credit shall be considered for shrub preservation
(5) Removed credit trees. In the event healthy plant material credited towards required plantings are removed, damaged, or destroyed, as determined by the Zoning Administrator (or designee), they must be replaced at a rate of two (2) to one (1) with new plant material meeting the standards of this section.
(6) Mitigation. Every attempt must be made to preserve healthy mature existing vegetation. In the event that an existing tree with greater than a four-inch caliper or eight (8) feet tall is removed when there are obvious alternatives to its removal, as determined by the zoning administrator (or designee), all such trees must be replaced at a ratio of 2 for 1. Each new tree must have a caliper of no less than three (3) inches or a height of no less than six (6) feet. (Ord. 093-2020. Passed 7-6-20.)