A. On that portion of the site where two or more resources overlap, only that natural resource which has the highest preservation ratio shall be calculated by the following standards. The following standards refer to the same mapped portions of each resource as determined by § 208-1705.
1. woodlands. No more than forty five (45%) percent of any woodland may be cleared or developed. The remaining fifty-five percent (55%) shall be maintained as permanent open space. The developer may clear or develop more than the area of woodlands otherwise permitted to be disturbed by this section, provided that no more than seventy (70%) of woodlands may be disturbed Should the developer clear or develop more than 45% of a woodland area then:
(a) The developer shall designate a new woodland area on an unforested part of the site.
(b) The new woodland area shall consist of one and two-tenths (1.2) times the surface acreage of the woodland area disturbed for that portion of the area of disturbance which exceed the forty-five percent (45%) area of disturbance for WOODLANDS.
(c) No clearing or timbering of any woodland may occur unless connected with an approved site plan.
(d) As an alternative to the creation of a new woodland area, tree replacement based on a tree survey may be done. All trees six inches (6”) DBH or larger must be replaced as follows:
● 1 Replacement tree is required for each 2 trees 6” to 9” DBH that are removed.
● 1 Replacement tree is required for each 1 tree 9” to 12” DBH that is removed.
● 2 Replacement trees are required for each tree 12” to 18” DBH that is removed.
● 4 Replacement trees are required for each tree 18” to 24” DBH that is removed.
● 8 Replacement trees are required for each tree 24+” DBH that is removed.
Replacement trees shall be trees that are at least of two-inch caliper. Said replacement trees shall be guaranteed to be alive one (1) year after planting. At least seventy (70) percent of the replacement trees are required to be CANOPY TREES. [Amended 5/12/2008 by Ord. No. 389]
2. Steep slopes. In areas of steep slopes, the following standards will apply:
(a) Fifteen percent (15%) to twenty-five percent (25%) slope: no more than sixty percent (60%) of such areas shall be developed and/or regraded or stripped of vegetation.
(b) More than twenty-five percent (25%) slope: no more than twenty percent (20%) of such areas shall be developed and/or regraded or stripped of vegetation.
3. Drainageways. No more than fifty percent (50%) of such areas may be developed.
4. Existing vegetation. Existing, healthy plant material may be counted as contributing to the total plant material required by the landscaping and bufferyard requirements of this chapter, except in the case of establishment of new woodlands. Whenever an existing area meets the definition of woodland, it shall satisfy any planting required by this chapter, regardless of the mix of plant materials, provided that understory trees and shrubs constitute at least seventy percent (70%) of the individual trees and shrubs present. If understory trees and shrubs constitute less than seventy percent (70%) of the trees and shrubs present, additional plant material shall be installed in order to meet the requirements otherwise imposed. No tree greater than five-inch caliper shall be counted if more than one-eighth (1/8) of the area under its canopy or dripline is less than fifteen (15) feet from a building, parking area or road.
5. Establishment and maintenance of woodlands. The establishment of a woodland shall conform to the following standards:
(a) The minimum area shall be one and five-tenths (1.5) acres.
(b) No area of woodland shall be less than fifty (50) feet wide.
(c) The following plant material shall be provided per acre of woodland when required to be established. Fractional requirements (resulting from fractions of acres to be established) shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number.
Woodland Plant Materials
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Required per Acre |
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Minimum Size |
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5 slower growing canopy trees |
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3-inch caliper |
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10 canopy trees |
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2-inch caliper |
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20 faster growing canopy trees |
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1-inch caliper |
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30 slower growing canopy trees |
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5 feet high |
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1-inch caliper | |
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100 shrubs |
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3 feet high |
(d) All new plant materials shall meet the requirements set forth in the American Standard for Nursery Stock, published by the American Association of Nurserymen, ANSI 260.1, latest edition. All existing healthy trees shall be preserved to the maximum extent possible.
(e) All areas of a newly established woodland shall be mulched and/or seeded as lawn unless ground cover is to be established and maintained.
(f) In maintaining newly established woodland areas, additional plants established by natural succession shall be retained. Dead trees shall be removed where they adjoin roads or buildings, but otherwise left alone and felled and left at the site. Debris and litter shall be cleaned on an annual or semiannual basis. Damage to fifteen percent (15%) or more of the stand due to disease, wind or fire within a period of two (2) years from their installation shall require the replacement of all such damaged trees.
6. Floodplains. One hundred percent (100%) of the floodplains must be maintained in open space.
7. Wetlands. One hundred percent (100%) of the wetlands must be maintained in open space.
8. A land disturbance map shall be submitted for each natural resource on the site that denotes the required preservation area.
