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Memo to Mayor and City Council/OA 02-07 <br />December 16, 2002 <br />Page 2 <br /> <br />Existing Regulations <br /> <br />The City Code currently addresses tree removal in two separate sections. The landscape <br />ordinance includes the following section: <br /> <br />"In order to retain, as far as practicable, substantial tree stands as part of urban development, <br />a tree preservation plan should be submitted to the city prior to removing trees or <br />commencing construction." <br /> <br />The subdivision ordinance also includes a section on tree preservation: <br /> <br />"Existing healthy trees and native vegetation on site shall be preserved to the maximum <br />extent feasible and shall be protected by adequate means during construction." <br /> <br />Both of these sections are very general and provide no specific guidelines for what is meant <br />by the phrases "as far as practicable" and "to the maximum extent feasible". The proposed <br />ordinance includes very specific and quantifiable numbers regarding how many trees can be <br />removed. Neither existing section includes tree replacement guidelines; the proposed <br />ordinance includes a tree replacement schedule. The proposed tree preservation ordinance <br />would not replace the existing sections that address tree preservation, but would be in <br />addition to the existing sections. The proposed ordinance also regulates tree removal on <br />existing single family residences where the current ordinances do not. <br /> <br />Staffing <br /> <br />The implementation and enforcement of the proposed ordinance would require additional <br />staff time and possibly additional staff. The staff person charged with administering and <br />enforcing the ordinance should have background/experience in forestry or horticulture. <br /> <br />Costs <br /> <br />The proposed ordinance will result in additional expenses incurred by developers and <br />residents. There will be costs associated with the preparation of the tree preservation plans <br />and the cost of the performance guarantee. <br /> <br />Summary of Ordinance Provisions <br /> <br />The Tree Preservation Ordinance establishes rules and regulations regarding tree removal <br />and tree preservation. A permitting process is established. Included as part of that process <br />are guidelines on when a permit will be required, in which cases exemptions are allowed and <br />what information needs to be included with the application. Parameters for the removal of <br />trees are established; any specimen trees, significant trees and/or significant woodlands that <br />are destroyed or removed beyond those limits shall be replaced per the tree replacement <br />schedule. An inspection process and performance guarantees are also included. Staff <br />decisions can be appealed to the Board of Adjustments. <br /> <br />S:\PLANNING\Case Files\OA 02-07 Tree Preservation\Tree preservation 12-16 cc memo.doc <br /> <br /> <br />