§ 65.645. General Requirements.

In general, removal of trees 4″ or larger in caliper shall be prohibited. However, Tree Removal Permits may be approved where design modifications are not feasible (see Section 65.646 below) and one or more of the following circumstances exists:

Street Opening. The location of the tree prevents the opening of reasonable and necessary travel lanes in a street or alley;

Utilities and Drainage. The location of the tree or the maintenance of the existing land surface elevation within the undisturbed area of a tree prevents the construction of utility lines or drainage facilities which cannot feasibly be rerouted;

Property Access. The location of the tree prevents all reasonable access to the property;

Property Use. The location of the tree precludes reasonable use of the property. Reasonable Use of the Property is defined as the arrangement of the functional elements of the proposed development (particularly the buildings, structures, vehicular use areas, stormwater drainage systems, and utilities) shall be located so as to be integrated into and least disruptive to the existing natural environment, including preservation of existing trees found on the site;

Prohibited Species. The tree is one of the species listed on the Prohibited Plant List, Section 60.231 of this Part;

Hazards. The tree constitutes a hazard to life or property which cannot reasonably be mitigated without removing the tree; or

Poor Tree Health. The tree is dying/dead or is in poor health as defined by this Chapter, so that its restoration to sound condition is not practical; or has a disease which can be expected to be transmitted to other trees and to endanger their health.

(Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25102; Ord. of 4-20-1992, Doc. #25638)