The City of St. Michael declares it necessary and appropriate to provide incentives to assist the developer or builder in meeting or exceeding the tree preservation requirements. The available incentives include:
(A) A density bonus of 10% may be awarded in areas outside of forested areas, if the tree removal threshold is not invoked and tree preservation requirements exceeded. This density bonus applies only to forests of 20 acres or more and is to be commensurate with the tree preservation efforts and forest quality.
(B) Omit tree survey requirement on undisturbed forested areas if 50% of the tree canopy cover remains undisturbed (trees must be indicative of the most desirable forested areas) and if preserved in perpetuity (i.e. conservation easement, open space). Calculations on total significant tree loss shall take into account the percent of undisturbed woodlands.
(C) Right-of-way, width of paving, length of cul-de-sac and increased street grades may vary to allow tree preservation.
(D) Shared driveways may be permitted and building setbacks and lot configuration may vary to allow for tree preservation.
(Ord. 125, passed 5-11-99)