(A) The spacing of street trees will be in accordance with the tree species size classes as defined in this chapter, and no trees may be planted closer together than the following: small trees, 30 feet; medium trees, 40 feet; and large trees, 50 feet; except in special plantings designed or approved by a landscape architect.
(B) No street trees other than those species listed in the tree plan as small trees may be planted under or within ten lateral feet of any overhead utility wire, or over or within five lateral feet of any underground water, sewer, transmission or other utility line.
(C) The distance trees may be planted will be in accordance with the size classes, and no trees may be planted closer than the following to any curb or sidewalk: small trees, two feet; medium trees, three feet; and large trees, four feet.
(D) No street trees shall be planted closer than 20 feet of any street corner, measured from the point of nearest intersecting curbs or curblines. No street trees shall be planted closer than ten feet of any fire hydrant.
(E) The city shall have the right to plant, prune, maintain and remove trees, plants and shrubs within the lines of all public rights-of-way and public grounds, as may be necessary to ensure public safety or to preserve or enhance the symmetry and beauty of such public grounds.
(F) The city many remove or cause or order to be removed, any tree or part thereof which is in an unsafe condition or which by reason of its nature is injurious to sewer, water, electric, telephone, cable or other utility line, public improvements or is infected with any injurious fungus, insect or other pest.
(G) It shall be unlawful as a normal practice for any person, firm or city department to top any street tree, park tree or other tree on public property. For the purpose of this division (G), TOPPING is defined as the severe cutting back of limbs to stubs within the tree’s crown to such a degree so as to remove the normal canopy and disfigure the tree. Trees severely damaged by storms of other causes or certain trees under utility wires or other obstructions where other pruning practices are impractical may be exempted from this chapter at the determination of the Tree Commission.
(H) All stumps of street and park trees shall be removed below the surface of the ground so that the top of the stump shall not project above the surface.
(I) (1) The city shall continue to manage and fund the sweeping of streets and public parking lots within the city.
(2) Private property owners and/or occupants shall continue to be responsible for removing leaves collected on awnings, canopies or building roofs and for sweeping sidewalks. Sidewalk leaves may be swept into the streets.
(Ord. 1183, passed 12-4-1995) Penalty, see § 151.99