§ 168.05 Preservation Of Existing Trees

Existing trees may be used to comply with the requirements of subsections 16.07, "Street Tree Requirements", and 16.08, "Tree Requirements for Residential Uses", of this section. Existing trees used to satisfy these requirements must be in good health prior to and following site development. The City Designee is authorized to approve substitutions based on determination of health and survivability. Table 16-2, "Schedule of Substitution Values", of this section, will be used to determine the ratio of substitution. The following provisions must also be observed:

A. The same minimum separation distances that are required of new plantings must be observed when possible; except, that extant groupings of two (2) or more trees may be preserved upon approval by the City Designee, who will also determine if trees or branches must be removed from such groupings in the interest of public safety and/or to assure survival of the specimen.

B. The building official will determine if a preserved tree will be a substitute for a street tree or a residential use tree, depending on its location on a lot.

C. The roots of a tree must be protected during site development with barrier fencing extending out at least as far as the drip line of the tree, or as far as the City Designee deems necessary to minimize damage. Any limbs that might be damaged during construction must be pruned according to the direction of the City Designee.

D. No paving or construction will be allowed within the drip line of a preserved tree.

E. Any preserved tree that dies within five (5) years of the issuance of a certificate of occupancy must be replaced by the same number of trees for which it substituted.

Table 16-2: Schedule of Substitution Values

<table> <tr> <th>Diameter Of Existing Tree<br>(Measured 4 Feet Above Ground Level)</th> <th>Substitution Value</th> </tr> <tr> <td>36 inches or more</td> <td>3 required trees</td> </tr> <tr> <td>12 to 35 inches</td> <td>2 required trees</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2 to 12 inches</td> <td>1 required tree</td> </tr> </table>

Note:

1. The substitution value of groupings of 1 or more trees, provided their preservation as a group is approved by the City Designee, will be based on the caliper measure of the largest tree of the group.

Existing trees may be used to comply with the requirements of Subsections 168.06 and 168.07. Existing trees used to satisfy these requirements shall be in good health prior to and following site development. The City designee is authorized to approve substitutions based on determination of health and survivability. The table in Subsection 6 shall be used to determine the ratio of substitution. The following provisions shall also be observed:

1. The same minimum separation distances that are required of new plantings shall be observed when possible; except, that extant groupings of two or more trees may be preserved upon approval by the City designee, who will also determine if trees or branches shall be removed from such groupings in the interest of public safety or to assure survival of the specimen.

2. The Building Official will determine if a preserved tree will be a substitute for a street tree or a residential use tree, depending on its location on a lot.

3. The roots of a tree shall be protected during site development with barrier fencing extending out at least as far as the drip line of the tree, or as far as the City designee deems necessary to minimize damage. Any limbs that might be damaged during construction shall be pruned according to the direction of the City designee.

4. No paving or construction shall be allowed within the drip line of a preserved tree.

5. Any preserved tree that dies within five years of the issuance of a certificate of occupancy shall be replaced by the same number of trees for which it substituted.

6. Schedule of Substitution Values 1 Diameter Of Existing Tree Substitution Value (Measured 4 Feet Above Ground Level) 36 inches or more 3 required trees 12 to 35 inches 2 required trees 2 to 12 inches 1 required tree The substitution value of groupings of one or more trees, provided their preservation as a group is approved by the City designee, will be based on the caliper measure of the largest tree of the group.