14.32.071 Additional considerations for homeowners association (HOA) open spaces.
A. Open space tracts may have different demands and issues than individual residential parcels or designated tree tracts. While open space tracts are recognized by the Plan as key areas for preserving, maintaining or planting trees to meet the community’s tree canopy goal, there are instances when otherwise healthy trees may need to be removed for reasons such as tree species suitability, maintenance, or liability. In cases where otherwise healthy trees are removed, replanting shall occur to maintain the community’s tree canopy goal.
B. Trees located in open space tracts shall not be removed, unless approved through the following procedures:
1. Permit Required. No open space tree shall be removed without first applying for and receiving a permit. The applicant for the permit shall be the property owner. An application for a tree removal permit shall be submitted on a form provided by the city. The applicant must state the justification for removal on the tree removal application.
2. Review. The director or her/his designee shall review the application for tree removal, the tree protection professional’s report and any applicable information. In the review, the following factors will be considered:
a. Documented history of property damage caused by the tree(s).
b. The size and location of the tree(s) causes typical maintenance, pruning and dead branch removal infeasible due to cost or is physically not practible by tree care professionals.
c. The tree does not meet criteria for a specimen tree.
3. Replanting. Any tree permitted to be removed under this subsection shall be mitigated by planting replacement trees at a ratio required by Table 14-T70.
|
Minimum Number of Trees to Be Replanted |
|
|---|---|
|
Less than 6 |
1 |
|
6 and up to 12 |
2 |
|
More than 12 and up to 20 |
3 |
|
More than 20 and up to 25 |
5 |
|
More than 25 |
7 |
Replacement trees will be a minimum of one and one-half inch caliper for deciduous species and six to seven feet tall for conifers unless otherwise recommended by the city tree protection professional. Conifers will be native to the Pacific Northwest. Deciduous tree species will be compatible with the other trees in the open space, and will provide wildlife, aesthetic, and other amenities to the open space. If the site cannot accommodate the amount of replanting required, the city’s tree account may be used pursuant to LMC 14.32.066(B).
4. Tree Protection Professional Report. The city’s tree protection professional shall review the site and provide a report analyzing the site for tree replacement consistent with the requirements of this chapter. The report should provide information important to urban forest management and options for consideration when developing replanting plans. The report should suggest options for design to best achieve the purposes of the Urban Forest Management Plan and this chapter. The report shall include but shall not be limited to:
a. Analysis of what portion of the open space is best for replanting, considering the intent of this chapter, soil type, topography, tree species, health of trees and reasonable project design limitations;
b. Recommendations for replacement tree species based upon the intent of this chapter, soil type, topography, tree species, health of trees, and reasonable project design limitations;
c. Consideration of the location of roads, other infrastructure, and buildings and potential options for alternative locations, if applicable, to best satisfy the purposes of the Urban Forest Management Plan;
d. A timeline for tree replacement;
e. An irrigation and watering plan to maintain replacement tree health and survival.
5. Decision. The director or her/his designee shall issue their decision in writing to include rationale supporting the decision pursuant to procedures and requirements of Section 1E.030 (Limited Administrative Review of Applications) of the Development Guidelines and Public Works Standards. (Ord. 1617 §9, 2022).