7-2-4: STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:

This chapter establishes regulations and standards necessary to ensure that the City continues to realize the benefits provided by the community forest. It is not intended to resolve or regulate disputes over trees on private property that do not affect general public safety. This chapter is enacted to:

   A.   Coverage: Promote the general welfare of the City by establishing and maintaining the maximum amount of canopy coverage provided by trees for their functions as identified in section 7-2-3 of this chapter;

   B.   Preservation: Preserve and enhance the City environmental, economic and social character with mature trees;

   C.   Protection: Protect public safety, health and welfare;

   D.   Development Practices: Encourage site and utility planning, building and development practices to prevent indiscriminate removal or destruction of trees and avoid unnecessary disturbance to trees within the City and its area of impact;

   E.   Care Standards: Maintain trees in a healthy, nonhazardous condition through application of tree care standards contained in ANSI A300;

   F.   Diversity: Establish and maintain appropriate species diversity and age classes in order to provide a stable and sustainable community forest;

   G.   Care, Removal: Establish a process by which trees are to be planted, pruned and removed;

   H.   Comprehensive Plan: Implement the goals and objectives of the City Comprehensive Plan. (1952 Code § 9-16-04)