A. Applicability: The preferred method of landscaping is to first incorporate and preserve existing trees and shrubs, topography, and other natural features into the project design. Tree preservation and/or tree replacement is required to be addressed with landscape plans for all developments which are applicable pursuant to this chapter. Priority for tree preservation will be given to qualifying trees which provide beneficial shade, property or use buffering, visual prominence, or significant habitat. The applicant and/or developer shall make every effort to protect or retain any qualifying trees throughout a project.
B. Qualifying Trees: For the purpose of this section, a “qualifying tree” is an existing evergreen tree which is at least twelve inches (12") in caliper, deciduous tree which is at least six inches (6") in diameter, or any mature tree determined as significant by the Zoning Administrator. Diameter will be measured at four feet (4') from grade, also called diameter at breast height (dbh).
C. The City recognizes that tree removal is sometimes necessary to reasonably develop a site. Preservation of trees may be considered impractical when removal is required for defensible space for wildfire prevention, when tree retention or replacement would prevent development of streets, utilities, construction of civil facilities, needed community housing, to meet minimum standards as required by the City, or when it would prevent reasonable use of the property as permitted by the applicable zoning district. The term “prevent” in this standard means that the development cannot be designed to avoid removal or replacement of qualifying tree(s). An inability to achieve maximum permitted density or building envelopes by complying with this subsection is not in itself considered to prevent development.
1. When tree retention or replacement is considered impractical, the qualifying trees which cannot be retained or replaced should be indicated on the landscape plan with demonstration of why removal of qualifying trees is necessary and / or planting of some or all of the required replacement trees is impractical.
D. Tree Replacement Requirements: In the case a qualifying tree designated for retention on the landscape plan must be removed or dies, it must be replaced with trees totaling at least two times the caliper inches as was lost. Tree replacement requirements exist whether or not the lot is already meeting overall planting requirements.
E. Tree Credit. Each existing preserved qualifying tree will be credited as two trees toward satisfying landscape requirements (ex: if 10 trees are required along a street frontage and a qualifying tree is preserved only eight (8) trees are required to be planted). The total trees on a site cannot be reduced by more than fifty percent (50%) of any requirement. This reduction does not apply to internal parking island trees.
1. Only those trees determined to be viable and savable will receive tree credits. A tree(s) determined to be hazardous, diseased or severely injured by a certified arborist will not receive tree credits. Likewise, if it is determined that a large portion of the root system of a tree(s) will be disturbed or destroyed by grading, trenching etc. then no tree credits will be granted.
2. Should any tree designated on the landscape plan die or be removed at any time after approval of the plan or issuance of a certificate of occupancy, the owner must replace sufficient trees equal to the tree preservation credit within six (6) months.
F. Tree Protection Requirements: The following guidelines and standards apply to trees proposed to be preserved:
1. Tree Protection Zones:
a. The root system within the drip line is generally considered to be the critical root zone and must be protected. To protect these critical root zones, a tree protection zone must be established around each tree or group of trees to be retained.
b. The tree protection zones must include no less than the total area beneath the tree canopy as defined by the drip line of the tree or group of trees.
c. Natural grading around trees must be preserved within drip line to protect roots. Grade should not be increased or diminished around root collar.
d. Layout of the project site utility and grading plans and construction plans must avoid disturbance of the tree protection zone.
e. Construction site activities such as parking, materials storage, grading and excavation, concrete washout, etc., must be arranged so as to prevent disturbances within tree protection areas.
2. Protective Barriers:
a. Protective tree fencing must be installed between buffers and tree protection areas and areas proposed to be cleared, graded, or otherwise disturbed on the site, prior to any land disturbance.
b. All tree protection zones are recommended to be designated as such with “tree save area signs” posted in addition to the required protective fencing. Signs requesting subcontractor cooperation and compliance with tree protection standards are recommended for site entrances.
c. All tree protection zones must be protected from soil sedimentation intrusion through the use of silt screens or other acceptable measures placed up slope from the tree protection area.
d. All protective tree fencing and all erosion control barriers must be installed prior to and maintained throughout the land disturbing and construction process, and should not be removed until final landscaping is installed.
e. Encroachment: If encroachment into a tree protection zone occurs which causes irreparable damage to the trees, the tree preservation and/or replacement plan will be revised to compensate for the loss. Under no circumstances is the developer relieved of responsibility for compliance with the provisions of this section, nor will plan revision activities stop the department from instituting action for violation of this section.
G. Replacement Trees: Replacement trees shall comply with the following:
1. The spacing of replacement trees must be compatible with spatial site limitations and with responsible consideration towards species size when mature.
2. Trees selected for planting must be free from injury, pests, disease, nutritional disorders or root defects, and must be of good vigor, so as to assure a reasonable expectation of survivability. (Ord. 23-08, 6-5-2023)