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Municipal Code Section 6.305 (3) states: "no person shall remove a street tree without first obtaining a <br /> permit from the city manager specifically authorizing the removal of a street tree. Permit approval may <br /> be conditioned upon replacement of the street tree with another tree pre- approved by the city, or a <br /> requirement to pay to the city an amount sufficient to fund the planting and establishment by the city of <br /> a tree of similar value. The value of the existing street trees to be removed shall be calculated using the <br /> 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 site <br /> shows the planting of 27 new street trees. Each of these trees have a replacement value of $400 resulting <br /> in a total credit of $10,800. Subtracting this credit from the value of the trees removed leaves $26,942 <br /> as the amount remaining to be mitigated for the 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 Class <br /> Big Leaf Maples and the others are a mixture of Sweet Gums, Cedars, Oaks, and smaller Big Leaf <br /> Maples. The three Heritage Big Leaf Maples have a combined value of $31,568. The remaining 35 trees <br /> have a combined caliper of 696 inches and an approximate value of over $150,000. This is just a ballpark <br /> estimate and I'm just providing you this information to give you an idea of the value of this City asset. <br /> There isn't any code authority for preservation of trees on this site, however with this development site <br /> being on City owned property, the restriction of removal of Heritage trees in UFMP Policy 15.0 applies. <br /> This being the case, a determination that the removal of the three Heritage trees is necessary for the <br /> 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 the <br /> three Heritage trees and the other 35 trees from this site . This may be of significant concern to members <br /> of our community. While there is no code in place to require mitigation in this case, I anticipate that some <br /> of the community will feel the City should provide an example in providing restoration planting of new <br /> trees to compensate for the significant loss of canopy caused by a City project. When room is available <br /> on the site a developer often performs restoration tree planting to mitigate the loss of canopy. In this <br /> instance, and generally in the downtown area, there isn't space left on the site to allow for much <br /> 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 consideration if your budget allows. Please give me a call if you need any additional information <br /> or assistance. <br /> cc: Bob Hammitt <br /> Johnny Medlin <br />