Unnecessary removal or disturbance of all trees of significant size and health when locating and building roads, utilities, structures, and the like shall be avoided. A certain amount of tree removal is an inevitable consequence of the urban development process. However, with proper management and the use of innovative design techniques, loss or damage to significant trees can be minimized.
(A) Removal threshold. Significant tree removal or disturbance beyond a 40% removal threshold shall require reforestation. Calculation of the removal threshold shall be based on continuous forest cover of 2,500 square feet or more as determined by the Zoning Administrator using available resources (i.e. aerial photo, site visit).
(B) Reforestation requirements. For development that exceeds the significant tree removal threshold, the developer will be required to reforest appropriate areas within the subdivision or site, on a one for one diameter-inch of excess removal. If it is demonstrated to be impractical to plant all reforestation trees on the site, the City Council, at its discretion, may select alternate sites, if the alternate site is owned by the developer/builder or by the City of St. Michael. Reforestation plans shall be set forth in the development contract for the plat. Tree replacement requirements do not constitute landscape ordinance requirements.
(Ord. 125, passed 5-11-99)