Ordinance 3676-19 - Laserfiche WebLink

(5) If a tree to be removed is located within a geologically hazardous area,the planning director may require submittal of a geotechnical report documenting the impact on the property. (6) Unless otherwise provided, or as a necessary part of an approved alteration, mitigation, or buffer management plan, removal of any vegetation or woody debris from a wildlife habitat conservation area or wetland, or required stream or wetland buffer, shall be prohibited. (7) The city may require that a hazard tree assessment be completed,and that hazard trees be removed from buffers,and trees replanted in accordance with the requirements of this chapter prior to final approvals fora development proposal. c. Nonhazardous tree removal with replanting. Except as allowed under subsection B.2 of this section,the planning director, using the review process described in Title 15, Local Project Review Procedures, may allow up to a maximum of ten percent of all nonhazardous trees within the outer half of a critical area buffer to be removed. Removal of nonhazardous trees must comply with the following requirements: (1) Proposals to remove nonhazardous trees shall include a planting plan prepared by a qualified professional biologist, arborist, or forester unless waived by the planning director.The plan must show the number, size, and type of plants to be planted and where the plants will be located.The plants should be placed in an area within the buffer that will be most beneficial to the stream or wetland and an area where future cutting will not be necessary.A minimum of three,three-to five-gallon native trees of different varieties must be planted for every tree to be removed unless it would create an overcrowded situation in which case the planning director can reduce this ratio or allow shrubs to be planted as an alternative. On geologically hazardous slopes,the tree size shall be a minimum of two gallons or if bareroot an equivalent size.The planning director shall have discretion to reduce the number of trees to be cut if the proposed plan fails to replace over the long term the loss of functions and values of the buffer that may result from the cutting of trees.A tree inventory is required with the tree type and size shown on a site plan unless waived by the planning director.Only trees greater than a six-inch caliper within the outer half of the critical area buffer can be counted unless the trees to be removed are less than six-inch caliper. (2) Tree removal is limited to once every five years. (3) A tree that is an active nest site for a species of local importance or provides critical habitat such as an eagle perch shall not be cut. (4) If the buffer's edge has not been delineated and cannot be determined by the city, a wetland or stream buffer delineation will be required. (5) If the trees to be removed are on a geologically hazardous slope, a geological assessment letter or geotechnical report is required unless waived by the planning director.A geologically hazardous covenant must be recorded prior to tree cutting. (6) Tree stumps must not be removed and all wood debris must be left within the buffer unless otherwise recommended by a biologist or geologist. A minimum of twenty-five percent of cut trees shall be left as snags approximately twenty feet tall unless within striking distance of structures,yards, or trails. (7) Where the stump of a big-leaf maple or other tree with a similar growth habit that has been approved for removal remains in the buffer, branches that sprout from the stump may be removed annually. (8) Prior to cutting, all trees to be cut must be marked, all required replacement plants must be on the property ready to be planted, and a critical areas covenant must be EMC Title 19.37 (Critical Areas) Page 14