73-14 — Tree Ordinance
Applicability
Tree Density Requirements
Formula example for a non-single-family residential development: Acreage x 100 inches = required inches per acre Example: 3.2 acres x 100 inches = 320 inches required The minimum required inches per acre shall be calculated and established pursuant to the formula as shown above and calculations shall be in a prominent location on the tree preservation and replacement plan. Street trees and/or parking lot trees planted after the minimum required inches per acre for the site has been satisfied can be counted toward specimen tree recompense.
Preservation of Existing Trees
An emphasis of this Ordinance is the preservation of as many existing trees as possible. Thus, inch-for- inch credit will be given for preserving existing trees.
Existing tree inventory information (caliper at DBH and genus) shall be shown on the tree protection plan and must be provided by an ISA certified arborist, forester, surveyor, or landscape architect along with a statement that the provider conducted the inventory in the field. If the plan is unclear, tree survey shall be required.
Specimen Tree Removal and Preservation
Example: Twenty-four-inch Oak would require replanting twelve (12) four
Preserved specimen trees shall receive one and one-half (1.5) x inches DBH.
Tree Protection Standards
Allowing enough space for a tree's root system is a critical factor in tree protection throughout the development process. Disturbance within this critical root zone
days prior to construction dates (copy of notification to be provided to City for permit file) if visual assessment identifies boundary tree root plates are potentially within the proposed limits of disturbance. Any and all subsequent tree matters shall be a civil matter between the property owner and the applicant.
Tree Replacement Standards
The following standards for replacement will be used to evaluate proposed tree planting plans:
| Evergreen Tree Inches: | Evergreen Tree Sold by Height: |
|---|---|
| 2 inches | 6 feet minimum |
| 3 inches | 8 feet minimum |
| 4 inches | 12 feet minimum |
| 5 inches | 16 feet minimum |
| 6 inches | 18 feet minimum |
Alternative Compliance
If trees to replace removed trees will not fit on the site based on industry accepted spacing requirements, alternative compliance is available by recompense to the City of Acworth Tree Bank Fund or planting the remainder of trees at a location remote from the project site.
Alternative site must be submitted, reviewed, and approved.
Such funds shall be used for tree plantings in public spaces, to purchase land where either specimen trees are located or where a suitable site exists for parkland, designated wildlife habitats, or for park-related landscaping and maintenance projects, as approved in the annual budgeting process or as directed by Mayor and Board of Aldermen.
Permitting Requirements
detailed sketch showing proposed changes for review and are subject to final approval. In the event that any tree two (2) inches DBH or greater will be impacted or removed during development, the sketch shall contain the required elements of the Tree Survey Plan and Inventory as required in Section 73-14.9 and the Tree Replacement Plan as described in Section
density of trees, then the applicant shall comply with the alternate guidelines under in Section 73-14.7 Alternative Compliance.
Tree Survey Plan and Inventory
The Tree Survey Plan shall be in the form of a to-scale map or a site plan prepared and sealed by a registered surveyor, certified engineer, or landscape architect noting the location of all specimen trees or stands of trees plus all other trees which will be preserved and counted toward meeting site density requirements. It should also include the following information:
The tree protection plan must delineate all ground cover-types and provide a general description of the types of trees present within the tree protection area (i.e., hardwoods, pine/hardwood mix, etc.).
Tree Protection and Replacement Plans
Indicate those specimen trees proposed for removal or for preservation.
Removal of specimen trees is subject to approval. Any specimen tree proposed for removal is to be identified in terms of exact location, size, and species.
Include the location for any boring sites for underground utilities.
This plan may be included as a part of the Tree Protection Plan or may be submitted as a separate drawing. The Tree Replacement Plan includes the planting schedules along with proposed tree names (botanical and common), quantity, size, spacing and any special planting notes. Unless otherwise approved, all trees selected for replanting must be in accordance with Section 73-14.14 Tree Species List.
Reference the Manual of Woody Landscape Plants (Michael Dirr, 1983, Castle Books) or similar publication for information on tree species site requirements.
Continuing Maintenance
Plant materials, installation and maintenance shall meet the standards incorporated in ANSI Z60.1, American Standard for Nursery Stock, most current edition, ANSI A 300, Standard Practices for Tree, Shrub and other Woody Plant Maintenance, most current edition, and as indicated in the project Design Professional's drawings and specifications. All landscaping is subject to inspection and no certificate of completion or certificate of occupancy shall be issued unless the landscaping meets the requirements provided in this Zoning Ordinance or performance surety requirements of Section 73-12 Guarantees and Sureties.
Appeals
In the event an applicant disputes the decision of the City regarding tree removal and/or replanting, the applicant may file a written appeal with the Mayor and Board of Aldermen in accordance with Section 73-11.11 Appeals. The written appeal shall detail the reasons why the decision of the City staff should be vacated. Upon receiving the written appeal, the Mayor and Board of Aldermen shall hear arguments and decide whether to uphold the administrative decision, modify the administrative decision, or negate the administrative decision. The decision of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen shall be final.
Tree Species List
The tree species list is intended to support site planning and design for tree preservation and replacement and decision-making in general. Requests for exceptions to this list may be considered by the Development Director.
Parking Parking Large Road Road Lot Trees Lot Trees Riparian/ Name Landscape Frontage Frontage (Islands (Islands Buffers Drainage Areas (Street) (Yard) >200 sq ft) 100 to 200 Areas sq ft)
Bald Cypress X X X Basswood, American X X (Linden)
Beech, X X American Birch, River X X X X Blackgum X X X (Tupelo)
Boxelder X X Catalpa, X X Southern Cedar, Deodar X X X Cedar, X X Lebanon Chastetree X X X X (Vitex)
Cherry, Japanese X X X Flowering Cherry, X X Kwanzan Parking Parking Large Road Road Lot Trees Lot Trees Riparian/ Name Landscape Frontage Frontage (Islands (Islands Buffers Drainage Areas (Street) (Yard) >200 sq ft) 100 to 200 Areas sq ft)
Cherry, X X Yoshino Cherrylaurel, X X X X Carolina Chinquapin, X Allegheny Cleyera X Cottonwood, X Eastern Crabapple, Japanese X X X Flowering Crapemyrtle X X X X X X Cryptomeria X X Cypress, Arizona X X X (Carolina Sapphire)
Cypress, X Leyland Dogwood, X X X Flowering Elm, American X X (Princeton)
Elm, Chinese (Athena, X X X X X Bosque, etc.)
Elm, Winged X X Parking Parking Large Road Road Lot Trees Lot Trees Riparian/ Name Landscape Frontage Frontage (Islands (Islands Buffers Drainage Areas (Street) (Yard) >200 sq ft) 100 to 200 Areas sq ft)
Fringetree X X X X Gingko (male) X X X X Golden X X X X
Rain Tree Hackberry X X X Hawthorne, X X X Washington Hickory (spp.) X Holly, X X X American
Holly, Chinese X X Holly, English X X Holly, X X
Longstalk Holly, X X Lusterleaf Holly, Penny X X Holly, X Savannah Holly, Yaupon X X Honeylocust X X Hophornbeam, X X X American Hornbeam, X X X European Parking Parking Large Road Road Lot Trees Lot Trees Riparian/ Name Landscape Frontage Frontage (Islands (Islands Buffers Drainage Areas (Street) (Yard) >200 sq ft) 100 to 200 Areas sq ft)
Juniper, Hetzi X Juniper, Pfitzer X Katsuratree X X X X Locust, Black X X Magnolia, X X Southern Magnolia, Southern X X X "Little Gem"
Magnolia, X X X X Sweetbay Maple, Amur X X X X Maple, Autum X X X X Blaze Maple, Hedge X X Maple, Red X X X X X Maple, X X X X X X X Southern Sugar Maple, Sugar X X X X Maple, Trident X X X X X X Myrtle, Wax X Oak, Black X X X X Oak, Chestnut X X X X Parking Parking Large Road Road Lot Trees Lot Trees Riparian/ Name Landscape Frontage Frontage (Islands (Islands Buffers Drainage Areas (Street) (Yard) >200 sq ft) 100 to 200 Areas sq ft)
Oak, X X X X Darlington Oak, Georgia X X X X X Oak, Japanese X X X X Evergreen Oak, Laurel X X X X Oak, Northern X X X X Red
Oak, Nuttal X X X X X Oak, Overcup X X X X X Oak, Post X X X X Oak, Sawtooth X X X X Oak, Scarlet X X X X X Oak, Shumard X X X X Oak, Southern X X X
Red
Oak, White X X X X Oak, Willow X X X X Pagodatree, X X
Japanese Pecan X X Pine, Loblolly X Pine, Virginia X Parking Parking Large Road Road Lot Trees Lot Trees Riparian/ Name Landscape Frontage Frontage (Islands (Islands Buffers Drainage Areas (Street) (Yard) >200 sq ft) 100 to 200 Areas sq ft)
Pistache, X X X X Chinse Planetree, X X X London Poplar X X Redbud (spp.) X X X X X Redcedar, X X X Eastern Redwood, X X X Dawn Serviceberry X X X X X Smoketree X
Sourwood X X Sycamore X X Yellowwood, X X
American Zelkova, X X X Japanese