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From my limited perspective as Urban Forester, I'm unable to make a statement that the removal of <br /> these Heritage Trees from public property is necessary to protect the public health, safety, or welfare. <br /> In order to obtain a permit to remove these trees you will first need to obtain a determination from <br /> someone such as the City Manager that the removal is necessary for the public health, safety, or <br /> welfare. If this determination is obtained we would determine the value of the existing street trees <br /> and process a permit for their removal. <br /> Municipal Code Section 6.305 (3) states: "no person shall remove a street tree without first obtaining <br /> a permit from the city manager specifically authorizing the removal of a street tree. Permit approval <br /> may be conditioned upon replacement of the street tree with another tree pre- approved by the city, or <br /> a requirement to pay to the city an amount sufficient to fund the planting and establishment by the city <br /> of a tree of similar value. The value of the existing street trees to be removed shall be calculated using <br /> the methods set forth in the edition then in effect of the Guide for Plant Appraisal published by the <br /> International Society of Arboriculture Council of Tree Landscape Appraisers." <br /> The value for the loss of street trees will be $37,742. This includes the two Big Leaf Maples, one Red <br /> Maple and one English Walnut. The most recent landscape plan I've observed for your development <br /> site shows the planting of 27 new street trees. Each of these trees have a value of $400 resulting in <br /> a total credit of $10,800. Subtracting this credit from the value of the trees removed leaves $26,942 <br /> which is the amount required for loss of street trees. <br /> TREES WITHIN THE DEVELOPMENT SITE <br /> There are 38 trees indicated for removal within the development site. Three of these are Heritage <br /> Class Big Leaf Maples and the others are a mixture of Sweet Gums, Cedars, Oaks, and smaller Big <br /> Leaf Maples. The three Heritage Big Leaf Maples have a combined value of $31,568. The remaining <br /> 35 trees have a combined caliper of 696 inches and an approximate value of over $200,000. I'm <br /> providing you this information to give you an idea of the value of this City asset. <br /> owever with this development site _ <br /> being on City owned property, e restriction of removal of Heritage trees in UFMP Policy 15.0 <br /> applies. This being the case, a determination that the removal of these Heritage trees are necessary <br /> for the public health, safety, or welfare will also need to be obtained. <br /> A separate concern is that a large amount of the local canopy cover will be lost with the removal of <br /> the three Heritage trees and the other 35 trees from this site . This may be of significant concern to <br /> members of our community. ` ' ' <br /> anticipate that some of the community will feel the City should prove . e are examp e in providing <br /> restoration planting of new trees to compensate for the significant loss of canopy caused by a City <br /> project. When room is available on the site a developer often performs restoration tree planting to <br /> mitigate the loss of canopy. In this instance, and generally in the downtown area, there isn't space left <br /> on the site to allow for much restoration or mitigation of canopy loss. <br /> When we are performing mitigation we look first at locations on the site, next at locations near the site, <br /> and then for areas anywhere within the City to mitigate the loss. I would recommend you give this <br /> concept thoughtful consideration if your budget allows. Please give me a call if you need any <br /> additional information or assistance. <br />