§ 113-2. Purpose.

It is the policy of the city that there shall be no net loss of canopy coverage as defined in this chapter within the boundaries of the city, including property owned by the city. The purpose of this chapter is to establish the standards necessary to ensure that this policy will be realized and that the city will continue to enjoy the benefits provided by its urban forest. The provisions of this chapter are enacted to:

(1)

Establish and maintain the maximum amount of tree canopy on public and private lands in the city by prohibiting the destruction or removal of trees except in accordance with the standards set forth in this article;

(2)

Maintain trees in the city in a healthy condition through professionally accepted arboricultural practices;

(3)

Establish and revise as necessary the standards for the planting and maintenance of trees so as to improve the economic base of the city by improving property values, to enhance the visual quality of the city and its neighborhoods and to improve public health by lessening air pollution and the incidence of flooding;

(4)

Minimize hazards and damage to streets and sidewalks and lessen public rights-of-way maintenance costs;

(5)

Establish standards for the replacement of trees removed or destroyed by the site development and/or building process;

(6)

Encourage the use of creative development through the use of the Design Concept Development (DCD) district to save trees and green spaces.

(Ord. No. 21-2012, pt. 1, 8-6-2012)