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MEMORANDUM 05/10/93 TO: Barbara Keller, City Council FROM: Jerry Jacobson, Planning and Development SUBJECT: LOGGING IN SOUTH HILLS This is to follow -up on your request for additional information about options for regulating logging in the South Hills. You specifically asked for infor- mation on whether the issue of logging could be addressed by requiring that the Planned Unit Development (PUD) criteria take place at the time of logging is proposed for property zoned with the PD suffix (e.g., the area off of Martin Street is zoned R -1 /PD, in which any development requires the PUD process). To address that and other possible options, I would first like to review the existing regulations: Tree Felling Permit: Under certain circumstances, a tree felling permit is required prior to tree removal. If a parcel is vacant and less than 20,000 square feet (about 1/2 acre), any tree removal requires a permit. For parcels greater than 20,000 square feet, which includes the area of concern, felling of more than five trees requires a tree felling permit. So, the magnitude of tree felling activity that would be considered "logging" always requires a tree felling permit. The decision on a tree felling permit by the Urban Forester is based on the following criteria which I have summarized: a). The condition of the trees with respect to disease and safety; b) The topography of the land and the effect of felling on erosion, soil retention and stability, flow and character of water surfaces and streams, protection of nearby trees and windbreaks; c) The necessity to remove trees in order the construct improvements or to otherwise utilize property in a reasonable manner d) The effect the trees' removal has on the environmental quality of the area; e) The adequacy of plans for replanting if applicable; f) That felling would be compatible with generally accepted practices of horticulture, silvaculture or landscape architecture; and