These regulations are adopted for the following purposes:
(A) To promote the public health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of the city without preventing the reasonable development of land;
(B) To encourage site development on public and private property, including clearing, excavation, filling, and tree trimming and pruning in such a manner so as to minimize hazards to life, health, and property;
(C) To preserve and enhance the city’s physical and aesthetic character by preventing untimely and indiscriminate removal or destruction of trees, bushes, hedges, shrubs, ground cover, or other landscaping material;
(D) To minimize surface water runoff and diversion which may contribute to flooding or erosion;
(E) To reduce siltation in the city’s streams, storm sewer systems, and public roadside improvements;
(F) To reduce the risk of slides and the creation of unstable city sites;
(G) To promote city- and site-planning practices that are consistent with the city’s natural topography, soils, and vegetative features while at the same time recognizing that certain factors, such as insects, disease, danger of fallings, proximity to existing and proposed structures and improvements, interference with utility services, protection of scenic views, and the realization of a reasonable enjoyment of property may require the removal of certain trees, bushes, shrubs, hedges, ground cover, or other landscaping materials;
(H) To ensure prompt development, restoration, and replanting and effective erosion control of property after land clearing and grading;
(I) To implement the goals and objectives of all city, county, state, and federal law controlling soil conservation, environmental protection, excavating, timber, logging, supply stabilization acts, and other environmental acts which may be passed from time to time;
(J) To implement and further the city’s Comprehensive Plan; and
(K) To implement and further the city’s Plan within the city’s area of impact.
(Prior Code, § 11-1-1) (Ord. 2004-02, passed 5-17-2004; Ord. 2022-02, passed 4-13-2022)