§ 9-38.040. Guidelines for Reports on Protected Trees

A.

Tree report required. Where a person wishes to remove or relocate one or more protected tree(s) or develop a site which contains protected trees, the Director shall cause a tree report to be prepared on those trees for review by the Environmental Planner.

B.

Authorized to prepare reports. Tree reports shall be prepared by an arborist, horticulturist, or registered landscape architect.

C.

Precise locations required. An applicant who wishes to remove a protected tree(s) or develop a site which contains protected tree(s) shall provide to the City the precise vertical and horizontal location within plus or minus one foot of each protected tree on the subject parcel and the generalized locations of all protected trees within 20 feet of the project boundary.

D.

Required information. Tree reports shall include the following information:

1.

Tree type. Tree type by common name, genus, and species.

2.

Trunk diameter. The diameter of trunks or main stems as measured four and one-half feet above the root crown.

3.

Tree spread. The average spread of each tree.

4.

Health of tree. A letter grade for the health of each tree. Grades employed shall be "A" for outstanding, "B" for good, "C" for average, or "D" for below average.

5.

Aesthetic quality of tree. A letter grade for the aesthetic quality of each tree employing those grades defined in Subsection 4, immediately above.

6.

Disclosure of damage or disease. Disclosure of any significant disease or insect infestations, fire, heart rot, mechanical or wind damage.

7.

Recommended remedial measures. Recommended tree surgery, chemical treatment, or other remedial measures intended to improve the health, safety, or life expectancy of the tree.

8.

Replacement value of tree. The replacement value of each tree which shall be established, and provided to the City, using the most recent edition of the "Guide for Establishing Values of Trees, and Other Plans" prepared by the Council of Tree Landscape Appraisers.

9.

Tree relocation. An evaluation of the technical feasibility of relocating each tree and the probable cost of relocation.

E.

Director may waive report or survey. The Director may waive the requirement for a tree report, or may waive the requirement for a survey of one or more trees, based upon a judgment that the tree(s) would have little or no ornamental value in an urban setting or that the tree(s) are located in a manner so that there is no possibility that they would be impacted by the development of the project as proposed.

(§ 5, Ord. 1085, eff. January 6, 2006)