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Page 2 <br /> City Code requirements for removal of trees followed <br /> Section 6.305 of the Tree Preservation Code requires a tree removal permit for tree removal in <br /> certain instances on private property, for street trees, and prohibits the removal of Heritage <br /> Street Trees except where such removal, and authorization for its removal, has been granted by <br /> the City because its removal is necessary to protect the public health, safety, or welfare. <br /> Otherwise, a tree removal permit is not required by the municipal code for the removal of trees <br /> from public property. <br /> The permit for the removal of the Heritage trees approved on January 22, 1997, by the City <br /> Manager ProTem was conditioned on "obtaining a permit from the Urban Forester for the <br /> removal of the non - heritage trees on the development site according to the process contained in <br /> the Eugene Code Section 6.320, Criteria for Permit Issuance ". <br /> The criteria from Section 6.320 (1) were evaluated and the removal met conditions contained in <br /> paragraphs (d) and (f): <br /> (d) The necessity to remove trees in order to construct proposed <br /> improvements, or to otherwise utilize the applicant's property in a manner consistent with <br /> its zoning, this code, the Metro Plan, and other applicable adopted plans; <br /> (0 The adequacy of the applicant's proposals, if any, to plant new trees or <br /> native vegetation to mitigate the environmental effects of removal of the trees to be <br /> felled. <br /> Since the project had an approved development plan, the removal was also in compliance with <br /> the requirements in Section 6.320 (2). The Urban Forester's Office determined that the issuance <br /> of a formal permit was not necessary due to the approved permit for the removal of the heritage <br /> trees. <br /> Even though the legal requirements were satisfied without additional notification or public <br /> comment, the Urban Forester's Office recommended a public notice process be followed that <br /> was consistent with similar, recent City tree removal in the downtown area at the 5th Street <br /> Market and on the Park Blocks. This notice process involved posting notice on the trees about <br /> ten days prior to removal and providing written notice to the adjacent property owners and <br /> businesses. The written notice provided contained five pages of information including a map, <br /> description, and pictures of the project. This process was deemed appropriate for the project as <br /> there had been about 30 public meetings over a two -year period. Public awareness of the project <br /> was considered high. For example, on October 3, 1996, the Eugene Weekly contained a story <br /> (copy attached) which notes the removal of the trees from the site. <br />