PC-95-14 - Laserfiche WebLink

Resolution No. PC-95-14 Page 3 17.16.003 EXHIBIT "A" Chapter 17.16 TREE PRESERVATION Sections: 17.16.003 17.16.006 17.16.009 17.16.010 17.16.020 17.16.030 17.16.040 17.16.050 17.16.060 17.16.070 17.16.080 17.16.090 17.16.100 17.16.110 17.16.120 Purpose and intent. Dermitions. Exceptions. Permit-Required. Permit-Procedure. Action by Director- Findings. Appeal. New property development. Emergency action. Protection of existing Heritage trees. Pruning and maintenance. Public utilities. Insurance Requirements. Fines and penalties. Additional provisions. 17.16.003 Purpose and intent. The City lies largely in a valley in which substantial portions were and are covered by native and indigenous trees. The City recognizes that preservation of such trees enhances the natural scenic beauty, sustains the long term potential increase in property values which encourages quality development, maintains the ecology, moderates the effect of extreme temperatures, prevents the erosion of topsoil, helps create an identity and quality, enhances the attractiveness of the City to visitors and increases the oxygen output of the area which is needed to combat air pollution. For these reasons the City Council finds that in order to promote the public health, safety and general welfare of the City while at the same time recognizing individual rights to develop and maintain private property in a manner which will not be prejudicial to the public interest it is necessary to enact regulations controlling the removal and preservation of Heritage trees within the City. However, the City Council also recognizes that under certain circumstances Heritage trees may properly be removed. Those circumstances include where Heritage trees are dangerous; dead or diseased; so situated on undeveloped land that their preservation would preclude feasible development; or so abundant their removal would not destroy the area's natural beauty or ecology or cause erosion. It is the intent of this chapter to preserve as many Heritage trees as possible throughout the City through staff review and the development review process. (prior code 2-17.01) 17.16.006 Definitions. For the purpose of this chapter, certain words and terms used in this chapter are defined as follows: A. "Heritage tree" means any of the following: 1. Any single-trunked tree with a circumference of fifty-five inches or more measured four and one-half feet above ground level; .