1. Applicability. Existing trees shall not be removed, wholly or in part, without having first obtained approval from the Zoning Administrator of a tree preservation and removal plan as described herein. Nothing in this section shall apply to removal of trees located on private property on a lot having a single-unit or two-unit dwelling located thereon.
a. Procedure. The Zoning Administrator's approval shall be evidenced in writing, specifying the tree for which removal is permitted. Such written approval is not required if the removal is performed by Village employees, Village contractors, or Village agents.
b. Criteria for Removal of Mature Trees. Every reasonable effort shall be made to retain existing trees on the aforementioned tree survey through the integration of those trees into the site plan and landscape plan for a proposed development. The Zoning Administrator must determine that one of the following criteria apply prior to granting approval to remove a mature tree:
(1) The tree is dead, dying, diseased, or a threat to public health or safety.
(2) The tree interferes with the provision of public services or is a hazard to traffic.
(3) The location of the tree prevents development or redevelopment that cannot be designed to protect the tree.
2. Replacement Standards. Mature trees to be removed shall be replaced in accordance with the following standards. Refer to Figure 156.09.B-A. Tree Measurement and Table 156.09.B-A. Tree Replacement Rates.
a. Replacement Rate. The tree to be removed shall be replaced within one year of the date of approval, or the applicant shall immediately pay to the Village an amount equaling the full value of the tree to be removed, at the option of the Zoning Administrator.
(1) Any tree designated for removal on an approved Tree Preservation and Removal Plan shall be replaced at the rate specified in Table 156.09.B-A. Tree Replacement Rates.
(2) In the event that a tree designated for preservation is destroyed, damaged, or removed during the construction process, such tree shall be replaced at three times the applicable rate specified in Table 156.09.B-A. Tree Replacement Rates.
b. Tree Valuation. The full replacement tree value tree shall be $300 per tree or determined by the Zoning Administrator in accordance with appraisal methods developed by the Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers and published by the International Society of Arboriculture in the most recent Guide for Plant Appraisal, whichever is less, or a negotiated value approved by the Village Board.
Caliper of tree to be removed | Number of Replacement Trees Required |
30 or greater | 6 |
13-29 | 5 |
4-12 | 4 |