Chapter 20 TREES AND LANDSCAPING*

Section 20-28 Landscaping; tree preservation

   (a)    Clear cutting of undeveloped properties  is prohibited prior to submittal of an approved tree  survey and approval of a landscape plan for the property.

   (b)    Existing tree cover and natural vegetation shall be preserved, whenever possible, or replaced with suitable native landscaping.  All existing, healthy deciduous and hardwood trees with a caliper of ten or more inches at a point of three feet above the ground shall be retained, as indicated in an approved landscape plan.  

   (c)  For new developments, all development applications shall include a tree survey for the  project site.  Trees which meet the requirements of exceptional trees as defined by the zoning code shall be preserved in accordance with the requirements of Section 20-29 .   All other hardwoods and deciduous trees including, but not limited to, ash, beech, cedar, crabapple, cypress, elm, hemlock,  magnolia, maple, oak, and tupelo, with a caliper of five or more inches at a point three feet above the ground shall be replaced on-site with native deciduous and hardwood trees based upon the  following ratio:

Existing Tree  Caliper Replacement  Ratio Replacement Tree Caliper Less than or  equal to 9 inches 1 for every 2  removed 5 inches Greater  than  9 inches 1 for every 1  removed 5 inches

Incentive: Every one existing tree exceeding caliper of five inches or more to remain  on the project  site may be counted as two required trees provided the trees survive for a minimum of one year after certificate  of  occupancy is issued.  If the existing tree does not survive, replacement with two trees is required.

Replacement trees shall only be used for 50 percent of the required trees.

(Code 1958,  22B-3; Ord. of 4-10-95,   II; Ord of 7-26-04)
 

(20-28, Amended, 07/26/2004, Prior Text)