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O 521 C.S. ORDINANCE NO. 521 C.S. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE AMENDING TITLE 10, CHAPTER 3 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING THE COMMUNITY TREE PROGRAM. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1: Title 10, Chapter 3 of the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code is amended in its entirety as follows: Sec. 10-3.01. Purpose It is in the best interest of the City, the public, and the environment to establish a comprehensive community tree program that promotes: (a) The preservation, the maintenance, and regeneration of all trees; (b) A beautiful and aesthetically pleasing community; (c) Trees or groves of unique or historical value and wildlife habitat; and (d) Educational programs that address the importance of trees in the environment and their role in purifying the air, providing shade, controlling erosion, and maintaining the rural, small town atmosphere. Further, in order to implement the goals and objectives of the Parks and Recreation element of the City of Arroyo Grande's General Plan, and to mitigate the loss of open space and vegetation caused by new development in the City, the City Council has determined that a development impact fee (or the implementation of a tree planting plan in lieu thereof) is needed in order to finance the planting of trees and to pay for the development's fair share of the implementation of these improvements. This chapter establishes policies, regulations, and specifications necessary to govern installation, maintenance, and preservation of trees to accomplish the above stated purpose. Sec. 10-3.02. Definitions. For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply: ~ ---.--'- ORDINANCE NO. 521 C.S. PAGE 2 "Certified Arborist" shall be one of the persons who has completed the requirements of, and who appears on the approved list of the International Society of Arboriculture. Western Chapter. Said list shall be available for review in the Community Development Department. "City" means the City of Arroyo Grande. "City Council" means the City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande. "Conditioned Tree" means any tree that is to be preserved and protected from removal, destruction or loss as a requirement of a permit issued by a permit-granting authority . "Development" means any project involving the issuance of permit for construction or reconstruction, other than interior remodeling, but not a permit to operate. "Director" means the City Parks, Recreation and Facilities Director or his/her duly appointed agent. "Dripline" means an imaginary vertical line running from the outermost branches or portions of the tree crown to the ground. "Landmark Tree" or "Landmark Grove" means existing tree(s) on public or private property that has been found to be a notable horticultural specimen, or is of significant aesthetic, cultural or historical value, and is designated as such by resolution of the City Council, upon recommendation of the Planning Commission or Parks and Recreation Commission of the City of Arroyo Grande. Landmark trees may include street trees. "Maintenance" means pruning, spraying, fertilizing, staking, irrigating, treating for disease or injury, and other similar acts that promote the life, growth, health, or beauty of trees or shrubs. "Owner" means an individual, firm, association, corporation, partnership, persona and lessees, trustees, receivers, agents, servants, and employees of any such person(s). 2 -- .--.-.----. ----,...- ORDINANCE NO. 521 C.S. PAGE 3 "Permit-a ranting authority" means that appropriate individual or body designated by Municipal Code or state law to have the legal authority to issue the permit for which application was made. "Planting easement" means an easement adjacent to public right-of-way obtained for the purpose of planting and maintaining street trees. "Plannina Commission" means the Planning Commission of the City of Arroyo Grande. "Parks and Recreation Commission" means the Parks and Recreation Commission of the City of Arroyo Grande. "Parks and Recreation Tree Subcommittee" means a subcommittee consisting of three (3) members of the Parks and Recreation Commission, as appointed by the Chairperson of the Parks and Recreation Commission. "Public places" means all properties owned by the City and public easements. "Public streets" means all City public right-of-ways, including all public easements. "Street trees" means any tree in any street, park, public place,. or public easement. "Subdivision" means any subdivision of property, including minor subdivisions. "Tree removal" means the destruction or displacement of a tree or shrub by cutting, bulldozing, mechanical, chemical or other method, which results in a physical transportation of the tree from its site and/or death of the tree. "Tree well" means an unsurfaced area provided within a paved or concrete sidewalk for the planting of a tree. "Tree" means any woody plant with a trunk diameter of four (4) inches or more when measured four (4) feet about grade, or multi-trunk woody plant with main branches that total four (4) inches or more when measured four (4) feet above grade. For the purpose of the ordinance, all Quercus (Oak) species are hereby declared to be trees at two (2) inches or more in diameter at grade. 3 ORDINANCE NO. 521 C.S. PAGE 4 "Tree Coordinator" means the City employee who is responsible for the City "Landmark Tree Program," memorial tree planting, Arbor Day activities, education programs, issuing of tree removal permits, and coordination with citizens regarding tree matters. "Undeveloped Property" means property that has been zoned to allow development, but which has not yet been developed. Sec. 10-3.3. Street Tree Reauirements. (a) A street tree shall be planted at the time of construction by every property owner, except for subdivisions, spaced no farther than 50 feet apart along the street frontage of any building constructed. Interior remodeling permits and activity shall be exempt from street tree planting requirements. The Director shall specify specific locations along the frontage of the constructed building for street trees and shrubs on public streets and tree planting easements, and the species of tree shall be selected by the Director from the master street tree list on file with the Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department. Street trees shall be of a fifteen-gallon-container size (or greater) and comply with the standards set forth by the American Society of Nurserymen. (b) For property within commercial or industrial zoned districts in the City, the property owners, upon construction, shall provide tree planting wells within any paved or concrete sidewalk. Street trees shall be planted within these wells as outlined in Sec. 10-3.03(a), with the addition of installing deep root barriers. (c) A fee, consistent with that established by the City Council for subdivision maps shall be imposed by the Director. if the property owner requests that the City plant the required tree(s) on his behalf. (d) All existing and proposed street trees shall be identified by the applicant on all construction and building plans and maps presented to the City. (e) No existing street tree shall be removed or replaced without written authorization of the Director or the Tree Coordinator. (f) It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to properly maintain all street tree-planting areas upon his/her property, including any adjacent easement, 4 --..- - ORDINANCE NO. 521 C.S. PAGE 5 regardless of whether such property is developed. Such maintenance shall include irrigation and keeping such strips free from weeds or any obstructions deemed contrary to public safety and in conformance with the plan approved by the Director for the property involved. (g) The Director shall, at City expense, inspect and, when necessary, remove and/or replace street trees. (h) The Director may cause the roots of young trees in the process of development to be cut to prevent future sidewalk lifting. Roots on older trees that have lifted sidewalks may be cut. Overhead limbs may be pruned or cut back to compensate for the loss of root area. (i) The Director may cause the removal of overhead limbs from any street tree, regardless of the location of such street tree, if, in the Director's opinion, such removal is necessary in the interest of public safety. 0) Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to relieve the owner and occupant of any private property from the duty to keep his/her private property, sidewalks, and planting strip in front of such private property in a sage condition and so as not to be hazardous to public travel. (k) Whenever a property owner desires to have a street tree removed, he/she shall apply to the Director for a permit for such removal. The Director may approve or deny such request. If the Director finds the tree is in good condition and the permit is granted solely for the convenience of the applicants, the full cost of such removal and replacement shall be borne by the applicant. (I) Any street tree damaged or destroyed by an individual shall be replaced through payment by the person or persons causing such loss to the City. The amount of such payment shall be the replacement value of the tree, as determined by the Director, but in no event shall it be less that One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150.00) per tree and shall be in addition to any criminal fine or penalty for Municipal Code violation. Any act intentionally damaging or destroying a street tree shall constitute a misdemeanor violation of this chapter. 5 - ---,--.------_.-._---- ORDINANCE NO. 521 C.S. PAGE 6 Sec. 10-3.04. Responsibilitv for tree-damaged sidewalks and public improvements. (a) The Public Works Director may, from time to time, prepare a list of particular street trees that have created a present and immediate danger to pedestrian travel, by causing damage to public improvements, sidewalks, or have interfered with drainage flow in gutters, or resulted in traffic hazards in adjacent streets. The list shall be submitted to the Director for comment or revision. (b) After agreement between the Parks, Recreation and Facilities Director and the Public Works Director on necessary corrections, the Public Works Director shall order the repair or replacement of such damaged public improvement. Prior to removal of any street tree causing such damage, the adjacent property owner will be notified, in writing, by the Public Works Director. The Parks, Recreation and Facilities Director shall order a new tree to be planted as a replacement tree, when the site is appropriate, as determined by the Director. Sec. 10-3.05. Privately owned trees affectina public riaht-of-way. (a) Trees on private property that have caused, or may cause, in the judgment of the Public Works Director and the Parks, Recreation and Facilities Director, damage to public improvements shall be root-trimmed or the tree removed, and such damage to public property shall be repaired by the owner of such tree. After fifteen (15) days' notice to correct said condition, the Parks, Recreation and Facilities Director and/or Public Works Director may correct the condition and send a billing therefor, including a fifteen percent (15%) administration fee, tp the property owner. If the property owner fails to remit the payment, the charge for all costs of correction, including the administration fee, shall be charged as a tax lien upon the tree owner's property. (b) No person shall permit branches of trees or shrubs to extend within nine feet (9') from the ground over any portion of the sidewalk area, or within twelve feet (12') from the ground over any portion of residential street abutting the property on which the tree is growing, or within fourteen feet (14') on streets designated as truck routes. After fifteen (15) days' notice to correct said condition, the Parks, Recreation and Facilities 6 ! ORDINANCE NO. 521 C.S. PAGE 7 Director and/or Public Works Director may correct the condition and send a billing therefor, including a fifteen percent (15%) administration fee, to the property owner. If the property owner fails to remit payment, the charge of all costs of correction, including the administration fee, shall be charged as a tax lien upon the tree owner's property. Sec. 10-3.06. Landmark Trees. (a) In order to initiate a Landmark tree designation, the owner(s) of such trees shall sign the proposed designation resolution prior to City Council adoption, thereby conferring consent for the tree(s) to be voluntarily designated as Landmark tree (s) by the City and approved for the City to go upon the owner's property for monumentation, inspection and inventory. Trees may also be designated a Landmark tree(s) as part of a City development approval or permit process (See Section 10-3.09). For such case the Director shall sign the resolution after its adoption in lieu of the tree owner's(s') signature. The Director shall sign as owner for all City-owned trees. (b) The City Council, upon recommendation of the Planning Commission or Parks and Recreation Commission, shall, after making any revisions it deems appropriate, designate Landmark trees or Landmark groves by resolution. The Director shall administer the Landmark Tree Program for the City. (c) In the event a Landmark tree(s) owner desires to remove Landmark tree designation from his/her tree(s), the owner may petition the City Council to adopt a resolution repealing Landmark status from the tree(s). (d) No Landmark tree(s) shall be removed without the consent of the City Council, nor shall any Landmark trees be destroyed or damaged. (e) The Director shall maintain a permanent log of all trees designated. Such log shall consist of a copy of all resolutions designating Landmark trees. Each resolution shall contain a Landmark tree monumentation number, a photograph of the tree(s), a location map of the tree(s) on the property, the reasons why such tree(s) has been designated a Landmark tree(s), and the signature and owner's(s') name, and the address and legal description of the property upon which the tree(s) is located. The Director shall present a copy of the adopted resolution to the tree owner. 7 ------"-------- ORDINANCE NO. 521 C.S. PAGES (f) The Director shall install a permanent marker upon or near each Landmark tree, identifying the tree as a Landmark tree, and containing the tree monumentation number. One marker may be used for a Landmark grove. (g) The Director shall cause the physical inspection and inventory of all Landmark trees every two (2) years to determine their condition and presence, and he/she shall report his/her findings publicly to the City Council, the Parks and Recreation Commission, and the Planning Commission, via the City Manager. (h) Upon the death of a Landmark tree, the Director shall record the estimated date of death and suspected cause of death upon the resolution designating the tree. The Director shall use such information to assist in determining future tree preservation programs for the City. (i) No branches two inches (2") or larger on a Landmark tree shall be pruned without prior written approval of the Director or the City Tree Coordinator. Sec. 10-3.07. Tree Removal in Commercial. Multi-Family. and Industrial Zones. (a) No person{s) shall allow or cause the removal of any tree{s) on property used or zoned Commercial, Multi-Family Apartment, or Industrial without first obtaining a tree removal permit from the Director or Tree Coordinator. The permit is available at no charge. (b) Tree removal in the above locations without a permit shall constitute a misdemeanor violation of this chapter, and in addition, removed trees shall be repl~ced through payment by person or persons causing such loss to the City. The amount of such payment shall be the replacement value of the tree as determined by the Director, but in no event shall it be less than One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150.00) per tree; and it shall be in addition to any criminal fine or penalty for Municipal Code violation. (c) The intended decision of the Director or Tree Coordinator for issuing or refusing a tree removal permit shall be based upon reasonable standards, including: (1) The condition of the tree regarding its general health, location to utilities or structures, or status as a public nuisance. 8 - .~_.._--~._~--_.- --~ ORDINANCE NO. 521 C.S. PAGE 9 (2) The necessity of the requested action to allow construction of improvements or otherwise allow economic or other reasonable enjoyment of property. (3) The topography of the land and the effect of the tree removal on erosion and water retention. (4) The number, species, size and location of existing trees in the area and the effect of the tree removal on scenic beauty, historic values, and the general welfare of the City. (5) Good forestry practices in general. (d) EXCEPTIONS: A tree removal permit is not required for the following: (1) Trees in hazardous condition that represent an immediate danger to health or property; or (2) Christmas tree lots; or (3) Fruit trees; or (4) Owners of firewood harvesting lots need not obtain a removal permit, if the species of trees harvested are eucalyptus or pines. Sec. 10-3.08. Public Utilitv Company Reauirements. Public utility companies shall obtain a permit from the Director, which shall be valid for one calendar year, and notify the City forty-eight (48) hours prior to performing the following: (a) Removal of a street tree or any tree covered in Sections 10-3.06 and 10- 3.07; (b) Pruning of a street tree, Landmark tree, or any tree covered in Sections 10-3.06 and 10-3.07 for overhead power line clearance; and (c) Underground trenching within the dripline of a street tree, a Landmark tree, or any tree covered in Section 10-3.06 and 10-3.07. Sec. 10-3.09. Installation. Maintenance. and Removal of Trees Relating to Property Development. (a) A tree planting fee is hereby established on issuance of all subdivision maps for development in the City of Arroyo Grande. The City Council shall, in a Council 9 ______n_n_..____..____,__,,___._____________.'._.____ ORDINANCE NO. 521 C.S. PAGE 10 resolution, set forth the specific amount of the fee. As described in the fee resolution, this tree planting fee shall be paid by each developer prior to issuance of a building permit. On an annual basis, the City Council shall review this fee to determine whether the fee amounts are reasonably related to the impacts of developments. The revenues raised by payment of this fee shall be placed in a separate and special account, and such revenues, along with any interest earnings on that account, shall be used solely to pay for the City's future purchase and planting of trees described in the resolution enacted pursuant to the above. The selection, purchase, planting, and future maintenance of such trees shall be performed by the Director. In lieu of said fee, at the election of the Planning Commission, the subdivider shall be responsible for the purchase, planting, maintenance and replacement, if necessary of such trees for twenty-four (24) months after planting and acceptance according to a uniform planting plan approved by the Director. The subdivider may be required to post a bond, the amount to be determined by the Planning Commission, to assure faithful performance. The bond may be held by the City for a maximum of two (2) years. (b) The Planning Commission may require a six-foot (6') tree planting easement on all or select streets within proposed subdivisions, in addition to dedicated planting easements for street trees in conformity with a uniform planting plan for the area involved. (c) All proposed changes in a public street right-of-way direction or width, or any proposed street improvement, shall, where feasible, include allowances for planting easements. Plans and specifications for planting such areas shall be integrated into the general plan of improvements, and it shall be the duty of the Director of Public Works to coordinate the design of such improvements with the Parks, Recreation and Facilities Director prior to the completion of the final overall plans. (d) No tree shall be removed on any undeveloped parcel for which a tree removal permit has not been issued or for which a tree removal plan has not been approved by the Planning Commission. Tree removal on undeveloped property without a permit or approved plan shall constitute a misdemeanor, and in addition, removed 10 - -- --- ORDINANCE NO. 521 C.S. PAGE 11 trees shall be replaced through payment, by person or persons causing such loss, to the City. The amount of such payment shall be the replacement value of the tree, as determined by the Director, but in no event shall it be less that one Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150.00) per tree, and it shall be in addition to any criminal fine or penalty for Municipal Code violation. (e) All grading, building, conditional use, tract map, parcel map, planned development, and other development prop'osals submitted to the City shall be accompanied by an accurate map identifying and locating all existing trees upon the property for which application is received and all existing trees that are off-site but affected by the project. Such map shall also identify all existing trees that are proposed by the applicant for removal or destruction, and such trees shall be visibly marked for the Director's inspection. The Director, or his/her designee, shall locate all trees upon the applicant's and affected property and prepare a written report to the permit-granting authority within two (2) calendar weeks of the permit application having been received by the City. (f) The Director's report to the permit-granting authority shall contain: (1 ) Recommendation as to which trees should be preserved and protected from removal and/or relocation. (2) Recommendation as. to which trees should receive Landmark designation. (g) The permit-granting authority shall not issue a permit until receiving and reviewing the Director's recommendations. The permit-granting authority shall not be bound to honor the Director's recommendations. The permit-granting authority shall have the authority to approve and issue a permit with conditions requiring protection and preservation of any or all trees affected by the permit. (h) The killing, removal, or damaging, intentionally or accidentally, of any tree, because of development activity, shall result in a separate administrative penalty to be paid, through payment by person or persons causing such loss, to the City. Said payment shall be the amount of the value of the tree, as set forth in the Manual for Plant 11 ORDINANCE NO. 521 C.S. PAGE 12 Appraisers. published by the Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers, but in no event shall the payment be less than One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150.00) per tree. The intentional killing, removal or damaging of any tree, as a result of development activity, shall constitute a misdemeanor. (i) If the permit-granting authority approves the removal of any oak tree or other tree as defined in Section 10-3.02, when related to property development, the tree owner(s) of such tree(s) shall replace each tree removed at a 3:1 replacement ratio. The size, specie, and location of replacement trees shall be determined by the Director, in writing, before the permit is issued. Replacement trees shall be maintained and cared for by the owner(s) when planted on his parcel. If not planted on the owner's parcel, the Director may identify a site for planting replacement tree(s), and the City will be responsible for maintenance thereof. 0) In the event the permit-granting authority desires Landmark designation for any tree, the permit-granting authority shall convey such recommendation to the City Council via the Planning Commission for consideration and recommendation and shall withhold issuance of such permit until the City Council has adopted a resolution conferring Landmark designation. (k) In the event the City Council adopts a resolution conferring Landmark designation upon a tree(s) during the development process, a permit shall be issued only with condition that the designated tree(s) shall not be removed or disturbed. Failure to comply with this condition shall result in a misdemeanor. There will be a separate administrative penalty of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) to the tree owner for each Landmark tree removed, destroyed or killed as a result of construction or development activity, regardless of whether the removal was intentional. (I) All administrative penalties recovered by the City, pursuant to this chapter of the Municipal Code, shall be deposited in a City fund, the assets of which shall be used for tree planting, care and administration of this chapter of the Municipal Code. (m) Trees designated to remain on the tree removal plan shall be protected prior to and during construction by the owner(s), using the following measures: 12 ORDINANCE NO. 521 C.S. PAGE 13 (1 ) Each tree or group of trees designated to remain shall be protected by an enclosure of a five-foot (5') fence, prior to the beginning of construction. The fence shall be wooden, chain link, or plastic barricade fencing. The location of the fence is normally at the dripline of the tree, but it may adjusted or omitted with the Director's written approval. (2) No parking of vehicles or equipment or storage of materials shall be permitted within the dripline of the trees designated to remain. (3) In the event the underground utilities must be placed within the dripline of the trees to remain, the utilities shall be installed by aurguring at twenty-four inches (24") minimum depth or by hand trenching. If roots over one inch (1") in diameter are encountered, the roots shall be preserved without injury. No machine trenching within a tree's dripline shall be permitted, unless authorized, in writing, by the Director. (4) A performance bond may be required, in a form acceptable to the City and prior to issuance of an entitlement, to assure protection of trees on the site. The amount of any set bond shall be One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500), or the value of affected trees, whichever is greater, based on the Manual for Plant Appraisers, Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers. The latest edition is to be available for review in the Community Development Department. If, in the opinion of the certified arborist, no violation or damage has occurred during constlJJction, the bond shall be returned upon final building inspection. However, if damage has occurred, the bond shall be held for three (3) years and forfeited if, in the opinion of the certified arborist, permanent damage has occurred. (5) Failure to comply with tree preservation requirements shall result in the Director issuing a stop work order until all requirements have been met. (n) Upon determination that a conditioned tree or Landmark tree has died, been destroyed or removed as a result of construction or development activity, the Council may stop further construction or development activity until the administrative penalty is paid. 13 ___m___________________ ORDINANCE NO. 521 C.S. PAGE 14 (0) When the City requires tree pruning, the tree service contractor performing the work shall use an arborist certified by the Western Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture. SECTION 2: If any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance or any part thereof is for any reason held to be unlawful, such decision shall effect the validity of the remaining portion of this Ordinance or any part thereof. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed each section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, clause or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that anyone or more section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase be declared unlawfu1. SECTION 3: A summary of this Ordinance shall be published in a newspaper published and circulated in the City of Arroyo Grande at least five (5) days prior to the City Council meeting at which the proposed Ordinance is to be adopted. A certified copy of the full text of the proposed Ordinance shall be posted in the office of the Director of Administrative Services/Deputy City Clerk. Within fifteen (15) days after adoption of the Ordinance, the summary with the names of those City Council Members voting for and against the Ordinance shall be published again, and the Director of Administrative Services/Deputy City Clerk shall post a certified copy of the full text of such adopted Ordinance. SECTION 4: This Ordinance shall become effective thirty (30) days after the date of its adoption. On motion of Council Member Ferrara, seconded by Council Member Lubin, and on the following roll call vote, to-wit: AYES: Council Members Ferrara, Lubin, Runels, Dickens, and Mayor Lady NOES: None ABSENT: None the foregoing Ordinance was adopted this 12th day of December, 2000. 14 _.~_u__.__... ..._..___.____._...._____._ ORDINANCE NO. 521 C.S. PAGE 15 MICHAEL A.LADY, MA~ t:jl ATTEST: (/( d,O~ ORE, DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DEPUTY CITY CLERK APPROVED AS TO CONTENT: ~ '-b~~ -- STE N ADAMS, CITY MANAGER APPROVED AS TO FORM: ~~~- TIMO HY J. L, CITY ATTORNEY 15 -~---_..~--- - -._,_......-.~-- OFFICIAL CERTIFICATION I, KELLY WETMORE, Director of Administrative Services/Deputy City Clerk of the City of Arroyo Grande, County of San Luis Obispo, State of California, do hereby certify under penalty of perjury, that the attached Ordinance No. 521 C.S. is a true, full, and correct copy of said Ordinance passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande on the 12th day of December, 2000. WITNESS my hand and the Seal of the; City of Arroyo Grande affixed this 14th day of December, 2000. ORE, DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICESI DEPUTY CITY CLERK /