(A) Purpose. It is the intent and desire of the city to protect, preserve, and enhance the natural environment and beauty of the city by encouraging the resourceful and prudent development of wooded areas, and with respect to specific site development to retain, as far as practical, substantial tree stands which can be incorporated into the development. No clear cutting of woodland areas shall be permitted.
(B) Tree inventory and landscape plan required.
(1) The developer of any property with wooded areas shall complete a tree inventory survey showing all significant trees with their respective locations on the site along with the species names and condition of trees.
(2) For the purpose of this section, the following definition shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
SIGNIFICANT TREE. A deciduous tree that is 12 inches or larger in diameter, or a coniferous tree seven inches or larger in diameter.
(C) Replacement guidelines. Tree removal for construction of public and or private improvements shall be on a proportionate basis. The proportion of tree replacement shall be 50% replacement per caliper inches lost of all significant trees removed from the development or lot in question.
(1) Once the amount of tree replacement has been determined, the owner will be required to submit a planting plan detailing the location, type, and size of trees to be replaced. The minimum size of trees which shall be given credit for tree replacement are as follows:
(a) Deciduous trees: two and one-half inches in diameter as measured six inches above ground; and
(b) Coniferous trees: four feet in height.
(2) Trees designated for replacement shall be of similar variety to trees which are removed.
(D) Performance bond. The city shall require the owner to provide a performance bond in the form of cash, corporation surety bond, approved letter of credit, or other surety satisfactory to the city to guarantee that the required trees to be replaced are done according to this chapter. The performance bond shall be furnished by the developer prior to obtaining a building permit that is equal to the amount of the required landscaping to be installed. The performance bond shall be held by the city and must cover one calendar year subsequent to the installation of the landscaping and must be conditioned upon complete and satisfactory implementation of the approved landscape plan.
(1997 Code, § 25.08) (Ord. passed 11-14-1994) Penalty, see § 10.99