7.280 Street Tree Program – Policy, Standards, Procedure.
(1) Policy. In order to create attractive and healthy neighborhood environments, no approval shall be granted for a development that involves the creation of a street unless the applicant has submitted and received approval of a street tree plan that ensures street trees will be planted and established in accordance with the standards and procedures provided for in this section and the adopted policies of the Urban Forest Management Plan. Street trees shall be planted in accordance with the approved street tree plan as each lot or area is developed, and shall be required on streets that abut the development as well as on new streets within the development site.
(2) Standards. The city manager, or designee, shall by administrative rules adopted pursuant to section 2.019 of this code establish standards and specifications that ensure that new trees planted are of the highest quality, require low maintenance, and do not interfere with public safety. The standards shall include, but not be limited to, the type of trees that may be planted, and requirements for planting and establishment of the trees. As used in this section, “establishment” includes watering, initial pruning, and replacement of trees, if necessary, for a period of three years from the date of planting.
(3) Procedure. Upon approval of the street tree plan, and prior to approval of the final plat for subdivisions, planned unit developments, partitions, or approved development plans, the applicant shall:
(a) Pay to the city a fee established by the city manager pursuant to section 2.020 of this code that is equal to the cost of the purchase, installation and establishment of the street trees required by the approved street tree plan. Thereafter, the city shall assume responsibility for the purchase, installation and establishment of the street trees; or
(b) Purchase, install and establish the street trees in accordance with the approved street tree plan, upon (i) first paying to the city a fee established by the city manager pursuant to section 2.020 of this code to reimburse the city for its costs in connection with plan review, inspection, administration and monitoring, and (ii) filing with the city a security bond or deposit in an amount determined by the city to be sufficient to ensure performance under the approved street tree plan.
Existing large-scale street trees on or adjacent to a development site shall be retained unless approved for removal by the city pursuant to section 6.300 to 6.330 of this code during site development or in conjunction with a street construction project. Any street tree removed by permit through demolition or construction within the street right-of-way shall be replaced within the street right-of-way at a location approved by the city with a tree of similar value. The value of the existing street tree to be removed shall be calculated using the methods set forth in the edition then in effect of the Guide for Plant Appraisal published by the International Society of Arboriculture Council of Tree Landscape Appraisers. The developer shall be responsible for the cost of the planting, maintenance and establishment of the replacement tree.