(a) General Regulations. Prior to any construction activities on a site containing major trees, a tree preservation plan including a tree survey, and a tree removal permit (if applicable) must be submitted to the Zoning Inspector for review and approval.
(b) Site Layout and Design. All reasonable efforts shall be undertaken in the architectural layout and site engineering design of the proposed development to preserve existing major trees.
(1) It shall be required that building(s), driveway(s), sidewalks, bikepaths, stormwater management facilities, and parking areas be designed in such a way as to avoid unnecessary removal of major trees.
(2) The required drainage and grading plan, including stormwater management facilities, shall be developed in such a way as to avoid removal of major trees in the tree preservation area thereby causing risk of loss through change in grade or moisture.
(3) Proposed placement of all utility service lines shall be shown on the tree preservation plan. Every effort shall be made to protect existing major trees during the placement of utility service lines including augering and/or jacking as opposed to open cutting as appropriate. A copy of the tree preservation plan and this subchapter shall be submitted at the preliminary plat stage by the applicant to the appropriate public utilities in order to alert said public utilities to the proposed placement of the utility service lines.
(4) Landscape planning shall include the preservation of existing healthy major trees.
(5) Every effort shall be made during architectural and site engineering layout and design, including grading and utility placement, of the proposed development to preserve major trees on adjacent parcels through sensitivity to the critical root zones of said protected trees. The critical root zones of major trees on adjacent parcels shall be carefully reviewed and consideration given during the preparation of the tree preservation plan.
(Ord. 05-08. Passed 2-25-08.)