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Sec.900.30(7) Tree Preservation <br /> <br />(a) Findings and Purpose <br /> <br />The City of Elk River finds that preservation of trees and woodlands is critical to the <br />health, safety and welfare of the citizens; that development within the City has the <br />effect of reducing and in some cases eliminating wooded areas which, if preserved <br />and maintained, provide important ecological, recreational and aesthetic benefits to <br />residents. The City also recognizes that a certain amount of significant trees and tree <br />cover removal is an inevitable consequence of development. <br /> <br />The purpose of this ordinance is the following: To preserve woodlands and trees on <br />individual sites; protect the safety of residents by preventing wind and water erosion, <br />slope instability and rapid runoff; promote the health of residents by absorption of <br />air pollutants, contaminant and noise; protect the welfare of residents by increasing <br />rainfall infiltration; provide a diversified environment for many kinds of animals and <br />plants necessary for wildlife maintenance and important to aesthetic values and <br />recreational requirements of the city; and promote energy conservation by providing <br />shade in the summer and windbreak in the winter. <br /> <br />(b) Tree Removal Permit <br /> <br />(1) Permit Required <br /> <br />(a) No person shall cut down or affect any significant tree or significant <br /> woodland without obtaining a tree removal permit. <br /> <br />(b) No application for any city approval that will result in land alteration as <br /> defined herein shall be considered unless the applicant for such approval <br /> has first obtained a tree removal permit. <br /> <br />(2) Exemptions <br /> <br />(a) No tree removal permit is required for single family residences applying <br /> to remodel or expand an existing building. <br /> <br />No tree removal permit shall be required to expand an existing <br />commercial, industrial or institutional building or the impervious surface <br />on existing commercial, industrial or institutional properties by 10% or <br />less. <br /> <br />No tree removal permit shall be required to remove no more than two <br />significant trees in any calendar year from privately owned land. No more <br />than four significant trees shall be removed over a 10 year period. <br /> <br /> <br />