Discussion and Review of Tiffin Municipal Code Revisions – Preparation for Setting the Public Hearing — Tiffin City Code - DRAFT

CHAPTER 168 LANDSCAPING AND TREE STANDARDS 4. Minimum Spacing Between Plantings and Other Features (In Feet) Large Tree Small Tree Shrub Large tree 30 24 4 Small tree 24 16 3 Shrub See spacing requirements listed 4 3 in Chapter 169 Building 14 8 2 Sidewalk 41 41 31 Curb/pavement 41 41 21 1 The minimum distance between plantings and sidewalks or pavement also applies to the anticipated location of a future sidewalk or paved surface. 168.04 PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE. 1. The provisions of this section apply to all plantings required by the Zoning Code, whether newly planted or preserved. 2. Required planting areas shall be separated from abutting vehicular use areas, including parking spaces, drives, aisles, alleys, vehicle display, and loading areas, etc., by an unmountable curb or barrier that is a minimum of five inches in height. The curb or barrier shall be constructed in such a manner that saltwater runoff will not damage the tree or plantings. 3. The property owner shall keep all trees properly maintained, pruned as needed, and free from trash and litter. It is the responsibility of the property owner to maintain and replace trees and plantings required by the Zoning Code. Required landscaping shall be continuously maintained in a healthy manner. Plants that die shall be replaced. Improper maintenance, pruning, or removal of plantings shall be subject to municipal infraction proceedings, up to and including environmental infraction proceedings. Any preserved tree that has been improperly maintained, pruned, or removed shall be required to be replaced by the same number of trees for which it substituted. 4. Any trees that overhang the public right-of-way shall be maintained in accordance with the provisions of Section 168.08. 5. Maintenance of trees within street rights-of-way shall be the responsibility of the City. 168.05 PRESERVATION OF EXISTING TREES. 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. CODE OF ORDINANCES, TIFFIN, IOWA - 1807 -