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Attachment 2: Landscaping and Tree Preservation Standards - REVISED JUNE 21, 2010 Page 1 Q. Landscaping and Tree Preservation Standards 1 Purpose. To establish landscaping and tree preservation standards to promote high quality site development, compatibility of uses, biodiversity, tree preservation, and to enhance the health, safety and general welfare of the residents of the community. 2 Definitions. The following words and terms, wherever they occur in this Ordinance, shall be interpreted as herein defined: Approved Species: Species found on the City maintained list which may be planted. The City may restrict applicant's use of approved species in certain situations where the species may be inappropriate. Basic use area: Area dedicated to site's use, including buildings, parking, loading, driveways, streets, outbuildings, trash enclosures, utilities, landscaping, and grading necessary for the construction of the above uses. Surface water detention ponds are not part of the basic use area. Biodiversity: The variety, distribution and abundance of living organisms in an ecosystem. Buffer: Linear bands of vegetation, and /or space providing separation between two separate land uses. Caliper: Standard measure of tree size for newly planted trees. The caliper inches of a tree is the diameter of the trunk. This dimension is measured at 6" above the ground when the trees are 4" caliper and less. For trees over 4" caliper, the diameter of the trunk is measured at 12" above the ground. Canopy: The top layer or crown of trees. Cutting: The feeling or removal of a tree or any procedure in which the natural result will lead to the death or substantial destruction of a tree. Such acts include, but are not limited to, severe cutting back of limbs to stubs larger than three inches in diameter, and damage inflicted upon the root system of the tree. Cutting does not include normal pruning within the bounds of normal arboricultural practice. Damage: Action or inaction which does not follow good arboriculture practices. Damage may include damage inflicted upon roots by machinery, changing the natural grade above the root system or around the trunk, destruction of the natural shape or any action which causes infection, infestation or decay. DBH: Diameter at breast height, typically measured at 4' -6' above the ground. Detention Area: Area of a detention pond from the normal water level and up the side slopes to 10' offset from the high water level. Disturbance: Any construction, development, removals, earth movement, clearing or other similar activity. Diseased tree: A tree with a health condition which makes it subject to a high probability of failure. Dripline: Imaginary line on the ground that is extended straight downward from the outermost edge of the canopy. Foundation Landscape Zone: Within 15' of the building. Invasive species: A plant non - native to the local ecosystem which exhibits, or has the potential to exhibit, uncontrolled growth and invasion or alteration of the natural functions of any native habitat. •