§ 106.39.050. Standard Policies and Procedures for Approved Work

Great care must be exercised when work is conducted upon or around protected trees. The purpose of this Section is to define procedures necessary to protect the health of affected protected trees. The policies and procedures described in this Section apply to all encroachments into the protected zone of protected trees. All Tree Permits shall be deemed to incorporate the provisions of this chapter except as the Tree Permit may otherwise specifically provide.

A.

Trenching procedure. Trenching within the protected zone of a protected tree, when permitted, may only be conducted with hand tools or compressed air or as otherwise directed by an arborist, in order to avoid root injury.

1.

When a trenching machine is being used adjacent to the dripline of protected trees, and roots are encountered smaller than two inches, the wall of the trench adjacent to the trees shall be hand-trimmed, making clear, clean cuts through the roots. All damaged, torn, and cut roots shall be given a clean cut to remove ragged edges, which promote decay. Trenches shall be filled within 24 hours; where this is not possible, the side of the trench adjacent to the trees shall be kept shaded with four layers of dampened, untreated burlap, wetted as frequently as necessary to keep the burlap wet. Roots two inches or larger, when encountered, shall be reported immediately to the Project Arborist, who will decide whether the Contractor may cut the root as mentioned above or shall excavate by hand or with compressed air under the root. All exposed roots are to be protected with dampened burlap.

2.

Where possible, route pipes outside of the dripline of a protected tree to avoid conflict with roots.

3.

Where it is not possible to reroute pipes or trenches, the contractor shall bore or tunnel beneath the dripline of the tree. The boring shall take place not less than three feet below the surface of the soil in order to avoid encountering "feeder" roots. All boring equipment must be staged outside of the dripline of protected trees.

B.

Root, trunk, and crown protection.

1.

No vehicles, construction or otherwise, and no materials, construction or otherwise, shall be placed for any period of time within the protected zone other than those described in this section.

2.

Staging areas for equipment shall be established far enough from existing trees to ensure adequate protection of the root zone.

3.

Entry and exit routes shall be established and fenced off with chain link or construction fencing. When planning routes, avoid utility access corridors.

4.

A six-inch layer of coarse mulch or wood chips is to be installed within the Tree Protection Zone of protected trees. Mulch shall be kept 12 inches away from the trunk.

5.

When determined necessary by an arborist, trunks of trees shall be protected with a single wrap of Geocomposite. Geocomposite shall be double sided, Geonet core with non-woven covering (such as Tenax Tendrain 770/2), or equivalent.

6.

Trees that have been identified in the site inventory as posing a health or safety risk may be removed or pruned by no more than one-third, subject to approval of the required permit by the Planning Division. Pruning of existing limbs and roots shall only occur under the direction of the Project Arborist.

C.

Cutting roots.

1.

Minor roots less than one inch in diameter may be cut, but damaged roots shall be traced back and cleanly cut behind any split, cracked or damaged area.

2.

Major roots over one inch in diameter may not be cut without approval of an Arborist. Depending upon the type of improvement being proposed, bridging techniques or a new site design may need to be employed to protect the root and the tree.

D.

Ground surface fabric. If any native ground surface fabric within the protected zone must be removed for any reason, it shall be replaced within 48 hours.

E.

Irrigation systems. An independent low-flow drip irrigation system may be used for establishing drought-tolerant plants within the protected zone of a protected tree. Irrigation shall be gradually reduced and discontinued after a two-year period.

F.

Plant materials under oaks. Planting live material under native oak trees is generally discouraged, and it will not be permitted within six feet of the trunk of a native oak tree with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of 18 inches or less, or within ten feet of the trunk of a native oak tree with a DBH of more than 18 inches. Only low water use plants will be permitted within the protected zone of native oak trees.

G.

Protective fencing.

1.

Type of fencing. A minimum five-foot high chain link or substitute fence approved by the Director shall be installed at the outermost edge of the protected zone of each protected tree or groups of protected trees. Exceptions to this policy may occur in cases where protected trees are located on slopes that will not be graded. However, approval must be obtained from the Department to omit fences in any area of the project.

2.

Fence installation. The fences shall be installed in accordance with the approved fencing plan prior to the commencement of any grading operations or such other time as determined by the review body. The developer shall call the Department for an inspection of the fencing prior to grading operations.

3.

Signing. Signs shall be installed on the fence in four equidistant locations around each individual protected tree. The size of each sign must be a minimum of two feet by two feet and must contain the following language:

"WARNING, THIS FENCE SHALL NOT BE REMOVED OR RELOCATED WITHOUT WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION FROM THE CITRUS HEIGHTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT."

Signs placed on fencing around a grove of protected trees shall be placed at approximately 50-foot intervals.

4.

Fence removal. Once approval has been obtained, the fences shall remain in place throughout the entire construction period and shall not be removed without obtaining written authorization from the Department.

H.

Retaining walls and root protection. Where a Tree Permit has been approved for construction of a retaining wall within the protected zone of a protected tree, the developer shall provide for the immediate protection of exposed roots from moisture loss during the time prior to completion of the wall. The retaining wall shall be constructed within 72 hours after completion of grading unless appropriate root protection is provided, as approved by the arborist.

I.

Preservation devices. If required, preservation devices such as aeration systems, oak tree wells, drains, special foundation systems, special paving and cabling systems must be installed per approved plans and certified by the Arborist.

J.

Grading.

1.

Every effort should be made to avoid cut and/or fill slopes within or in the vicinity of the protected zone of any protected tree.

2.

No grade changes are permitted which cause water to drain to within twice the longest radius of the protected zone of any protected tree.

3.

No grade changes are permitted that will lower the ground on all sides of the tree.

4.

All grade changes within the dripline of a protected tree shall be supervised by the Project Arborist. Cuts or fills of soil within the dripline of a protected tree may have a retaining wall system installed as approved by the Project Arborist and City Staff.

K.

Chimney locations. A chimney for a wood-burning fireplace or stove shall not be located within the current or potential canopy of a tree within eight feet of any branch of a tree, or in another location where sparks from the chimney may damage a tree.

L.

Certification letters. Certification letters are required for all regulated activities within the protected zone of protected trees. The developer's Arborist will be required to submit a certification letter to the Department within five working days of completing any regulated activity, attesting that all work was conducted in accordance with the appropriate permits and the requirements of this Chapter.

M.

On-site information. The following information shall be on-site while any construction activity is ongoing for a project requiring a Tree Permit:

1.

Arborist's Report and all future modifications;

2.

Tree location map with a copy of the tree fencing plan;

3.

Tree Permit and inspection card;

4.

Approved construction plans;

5.

Tree Preservation Guidelines; and

6.

Approved planting and irrigation drawings.

N.

Information on standards. The developer shall be responsible for informing all subcontractors and individuals who will be performing work around protected trees of the requirements of this Section for working around trees and conditions of approval for the project. This information shall be provided in writing to the subcontractors and employees by the general contractor or applicant.

O.

Utility trenching pathway plan. As a condition of the Tree Permit, the developer will be required to submit a utility trenching-pathway plan for approval following approval of the project improvement or civil plans.

1.

Contents. The trenching-pathway plan shall depict all of the following systems: storm drains, sewers, easements, water mains, area drains, and underground utilities. Except in lot sale subdivisions, the trenching-pathway plan must show all lateral lines serving buildings. To be completely effective, the trenching-pathway plan must include the surveyed locations of all protected trees on the project as well as an accurate plotting of the protected zone of each protected tree.

2.

Standards for plan. The trenching-pathway plan should be developed considering the following general guidelines:

a.

The trenching-pathway plan must be developed to avoid going into the protected zone of any protected tree on its path from the street to the building.

b.

Where it is impossible to avoid encroachment, the design must minimize the extent of such encroachment. Encroachments and mitigation measures must be addressed in a supplemental Arborist's Report.

P.

Impact avoidance measures. The following practices shall be prohibited at all times unless specifically allowed in the Arborist Report or the Tree Permit Conditions of Approval:

1.

Run off or spillage of potentially damaging materials into the area below any tree canopy.

2.

Fires under and adjacent to trees.

3.

Discharge of exhaust into foliage.

4.

Securing of cable, chain, or rope to trees or shrubs.

5.

Application of soil sterilizers under pavement within driplines of existing trees.

Q.

Final certification of tree work. All of the tree preservation measures required by the conditions of the discretionary project approval, the Arborist's report and the Tree Permit, as applicable, shall be completed and certified by the developer's Arborist prior to issuing an occupancy permit.

1.

The Project Arborist shall provide periodic inspections during construction as necessary to monitor the effectiveness of preservation measures outlined in the Tree Permit Conditions of Approval and to provide recommendations for any additional care or treatment. Inspection frequency may be specified in the Tree Permit Conditions of Approval.

(Ord. No. 2015-010, § 1, 12-10-2015)