§ 54-74. Tree planting and maintenance.

(a)

Minimum planting requirements. Trees meeting the minimum tree standards shall be included and/or replaced at a ratio of one tree per 5,000 square feet (or fraction thereof) of vehicular use area. Additional trees may be necessary to meet spacing requirements.

(b)

Spacing and clearance.

(1)

A minimum of one class A or two class B trees shall be provided per 50 linear feet of landscape strip, unless proximity to existing utility lines prohibits such placement.

(2)

Where street frontage strips are wider than 15 feet and/or interior strips are wider than ten feet, the distances from trees to vehicular use areas may be a maximum of 100 feet.

(3)

A minimum of 100 square feet for each class A tree or 50 square feet for each class B tree of non-paved area is required for each tree at the planting location.

(4)

Trees need not be planted in straight lines, and class B trees may be clustered to enhance visual effects. Minimum and maximum spacing of trees shall be:

a.

Class A trees:

1.

Minimum 30 feet (live oaks 45 feet).

2.

Maximum 50 feet.

b.

Class B trees:

1.

Minimum: Appropriate to species.

2.

Maximum: 50 feet for single trees, 75 feet for clusters of three or more trees.

(5)

Minimum distances measured horizontally from trees to overhead utility lines shall be:

a.

Class A trees: 30 feet.

b.

Class B trees: Five feet.

(6)

The location and species of trees proposed for location in utility easements shall be approved before installation.

(c)

Tree specifications.

(1)

All trees shall be of good quality and free of girdling roots, disease, and insects.

(2)

Class A trees shall be a minimum two-inch caliper with a minimum height of ten feet.

(3)

Class B trees shall be a minimum 1½-inch caliper with a minimum height of eight feet. For multi-trunk species, each trunk shall have a minimum caliper of 1½ inches.

(4)

In landscape islands, only class A trees shall be credited.

(5)

Lists of recommended tree and shrub species may be found in section 54-231. Species may be added to or deleted from the list at the discretion of the city.

(6)

Landscape materials shall be installed in accordance with landscape and arboricultural specifications as defined in this article.

(7)

Plant material shall be true to name, variety and size, and shall conform to all applicable provisions of the American Standards for Nursery Stock, latest edition.

(Ord. No. 2001-004, § 1(IV)(D)(1)—(3), 6-18-2001)