Existing healthy trees of an eight inch (8") caliper or more shall be preserved unless they are in conflict with proposed building locations, proposed street locations, create safety hazards, or are prohibited or classified as a nuisance species on the city list of approved trees. Each eight inch (8") caliper or larger tree preserved shall count as two (2) trees toward fulfillment of on site landscaping requirements. All development proposals shall accommodate existing suitable trees and other vegetation whenever possible. A tree protection plan shall be submitted for review and approval by the city urban forester prior to beginning any construction activities. At a minimum, such efforts shall include:
A. During development existing trees to be preserved shall be protected from activities that may injure or kill them.
B. The area inside the drip line of existing trees shall be fenced and all activity shall be restricted within the fence line, including storage of any kind. The fence shall remain until construction is complete.
C. Grade changes shall not be made within the area of the drip line of trees to be preserved. Areas within the drip line of a tree to be preserved shall not be covered with an impervious surface.
D. Any trees required to be preserved that are removed without city approval, are injured or killed as a result of development activities, or die within two (2) years of project completion shall be replaced with one tree of minimum one and one-half inch (1.5") caliper for every four inches (4") of caliper removed. (Ord. 2896, 2011: Ord. 2846 § 1, 2008)