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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Tree Preservation Ordinance <br /> <br />Findings and Purpose <br /> <br />The City of Elk River finds that preservation of native trees and woodlands is critical to the <br />health, safety and welfare of the citizens; that development within the City has the effect of <br />reducing and in some cases eliminating wooded areas, which, if preserved and maintained, <br />serve important ecological, recreational and aesthetic benefit to residents. The City also <br />recognizes that a certain amount of significant trees and tree cover removal is an inevitable <br />consequence of development. <br /> <br />This ordinance has the purpose of: <br />. preserving native trees and woodlands on individual sites; <br />. preventing wind and water erosion, slope instability and rapid runoff; <br />. increasing absorption of air pollutants, contaminant and noise; <br />. increasing rainfall infiltration; <br />. providing a diversified environment for many kinds of animals and plants necessary <br />for wildlife maintenance and important to aesthetic values and recreational <br />requirements of the city; and <br />. promoting energy conservation by providing shade in the summer and windbreak in <br />the winter. <br /> <br />Definitions <br /> <br />Applicant - Any person or entity which is required to submit and implement an approved <br />tree preservation plan. <br /> <br />Builder - Any person or entity to whom a building permit is issued for the construction of a <br />single family residence. <br /> <br />Clearing - Any intentional or negligent act to cut down, remove all or a substantial part of, <br />or damage a tree or other vegetation that will cause the tree or other vegetation to decline <br />and/ or die. Such act shall include but not be limited to damage inflicted upon the root <br />system of the vegetation by the application of toxic substances, by the operation of <br />equipment and vehicles, by storage of materials, by the change of natural grade due to <br />unapproved excavation or filling, or by the unapproved alteration of natural physical <br />conditions. <br /> <br />Construction area - Any area in which movement of earth, alteration in topography, soil <br />compaction, disruption of vegetation, change in soil chemistry, or any other change in the <br />natural character of the land occurs as a result of the site preparation, grading, building <br />construction or any other construction activity. <br /> <br />Critical root zone (CRZ) - A circular region measured outward from the tree with a radial <br />distance of one foot for every one inch of tree diameter. For specimen trees, the formula <br />changes to 1.5 feet for every one inch of tree diameter. <br />