(A) General. Existing features which would add value to residential development or to the local government as a whole, such as trees, as herein defined, watercourses and falls, historic spots and similar irreplaceable assets, shall be preserved in the design of the subdivision. No trees shall be removed from any subdivision nor any change of grade of the land effected until approval of the preliminary plat has been granted. All trees on the plat required to be retained shall be preserved, and all trees where required shall be welled and protected against change of grade. The sketch plat shall show the number and location of existing trees, as required by these subdivision regulations and shall further indicate all those marked for retention, and the location of all proposed shade trees required along the street side of each lot as required by these subdivision regulations.
(B) Shade trees planted by developer.
(1) As a requirement of subdivision approval, the applicant shall plant shade trees on the property of the subdivision. Such trees are to be planted within five feet of the right-of-way of the road or roads within and abutting the subdivision, or, at the discretion of the Commission, within the right-of-way of such roads. One tree shall be planted for every 40 feet of frontage along each road unless the Commission, upon recommendation of the City Engineer, shall grant a waiver. Such waiver shall be granted only if there are trees growing along such right-of-way or on the abutting property which in the opinion of the Commission comply with these subdivision regulations.
(2) New trees to be provided pursuant to these subdivision regulations shall be approved by the City Engineer and shall be planted in accordance with the regulations of the City Engineer. Such trees shall have a minimum trunk diameter (measured 12 inches above ground level) of not less than two inches. Only oak, honey locust, hard maples, ginkgo or other long-lived shade trees, acceptable to the City Engineer and to the Commission, shall be planted.
(C) Shade tree easement and dedication. The preliminary plat and final plat shall reserve an easement authorizing the city to plant shade trees within five feet of the required right-of-way of the city. No street shall be accepted for dedication until the City Engineer shall inform the Commission and the city that compliance, where necessary, has been made with these subdivision regulations.
(Ord. passed 2-2-2010)