14.32.064 Tree tract requirements.
Every commercial project over one acre in size, and every land division over two acres in size shall be required to designate a tree tract(s) to further the goals of the Urban Forest Management Plan for maintenance and no net loss of tree canopy in the city of Lacey.
A. Tree tract basic standard. The tree tract or tracts shall generally cover five percent or more of the site and shall represent the primary strategy for maintaining the tree canopy. All developing properties shall create a tree tract equal to five percent of the gross site area.
B. Tree tract credit for required open space area. Land divisions and most binding site plans require provision of open space as a requirement of the approval process. Up to one hundred percent of the requirement for a tree tract(s) may be satisfied in combination with the open space requirement provided the following conditions apply:
1. The open space area can function for necessary recreation activities, is located in the most strategic location of the site to provide centralized recreation functions or combined with adjacent open space identified for a public park;
2. The open space satisfies open space needs as identified in the City Comprehensive Plan for outdoor recreation;
3. The location is the best site for the tree tract(s) based upon urban forestry principles and intent of the Urban Forest Management Plan.
4. If the open space and tree tract location requirements are not compatible, the requirement for open space may be reduced to provide for the full tree tract requirement provided the following conditions apply:
a. There shall be adequate area set aside for tot lot and subdivision park activities to satisfy the expected needs of the subdivision residents, as determined by the city parks and recreation department director;
b. In no case shall the combined amount of land in the open space and tree tract(s) be less than the original open space requirement for the development.
5. Cash or like value of land area and improvements may be donated to the city in lieu of a tree tract. Any cash donated to the city shall be deposited in the city tree account. The city shall then utilize those funds for planting trees in other areas of the city. Acceptance of such a donation will be at the discretion of the site plan review committee and consistent with city policies for the provisions of establishing tree tracts.
C. Ownership. Tree tracts shall be held in common ownership by the homeowner’s or lot owner’s association or a comparable entity. Tree tracts may be deeded to the city of Lacey if approved by the city.
D. Priority of tree types. Trees to be protected must be healthy, windfirm, and appropriate to the site at their mature size, as identified by a qualified professional forester. In designing a development project’s tree tract, the applicant shall protect the following types of trees in designated tract(s) in the following order of priority, unless Endangered Species Act-listed species in accordance with LMC 14.33.117 are present:
1. Historical trees. Trees designated as historical trees under LMC 14.32.072.
2. Specimen trees. Unusual, rare, or high quality trees.
3. Critical area buffer. Trees located adjacent to critical area buffers.
4. Significant wildlife habitat. Trees located within or buffering significant wildlife habitat.
5. Other high quality. Individual trees or groves of trees. (Ord. 1496 §23, 2016; Ord. 1417 §11, 2013; Ord. 1269 §12, 2006).