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HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Letter from Rebecca Shivvers, comments about trees J 2380 220th Street Boone,IA 50036 w/294-3481 h/292-0691 shivvers@ameslab.gov Brian O'Connell Director Housing and Planning Department City Hall Ames, IA 50010 3 March 1998 Dear Mr.O'Connell: On behalf of Ames Trees Forever,I respectfully submit the following comments about trees in the proposed Zoning Ordinance,November 7, 1997. 1. Page 2-15,lines 30-33,The minimum diameter of 1-1/2 inches,measured at 4 feet above ground should read All trees will not be less than one(1)inch in diameter of trunk, at six(6)inches above ground level. (See attached.) Trees with 1-1/2 inch diameter at four feet above ground would be very big and probably too large for most homeowners to plant on their own. Trees naturally taper towards the top. A three-foot conifer probably would not meet the criteria stated in the ordinance. 2. We also believe that requiring coniferous trees at the time of planting to"be a minimum height of 3 feet"is too tall. What about the people who get their 10 trees from the Arbor Foundation annually or elementary grade students who bring home trees for Arbor Day from school? Many of the stores and some nurseries sell conifers less that 3 feet tall. Will these trees no longer be permitted? 3. Page 2-16,lines 4-6,Shade trees shall be at least 8 feet tall when planted. Homeowners should be allowed to plant shade trees 6 feet tall. Page 4-6, line 198 states 6 feet. 4. We are happy to see the Landscaping and Screening section. On page 4-6,lines 200-204,We approve the use of existing vegetation and believe it should be encouraged. In fact,there needs to be a section for standards to protect trees during construction and a fine if they are killed. It may take a couple of years for a large,established tree to die if it was not properly protected during construction;thus, maintaining this protection successfully may not be known for up to 2-3 years. 5. Page 4-6,lines 200-102,"may be used"change to"should be used"and give a certain percent. 6. Page 10-11, lines 277-278,Has the Criteria Manual been developed? If not, maybe the committee could include an Ames Trees Forever member? 7. Page 10-16, line 449—grammar: "trees is"should be"trees are." 8. Under the standards for required landscaping—What is protected and maintained,how,and what are the consequences? We need a tree protection ordinance. If I can be of further help or you need clarification,please contact me. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, _RECEIVED_ _. Rebecca A.Shivvers Co-Chair Ames Trees Forever j CITY OF ANTES,IOWA KEPT.OF PLANNING&HOUSING m!®pcnp�aas�aasmnrra�tn. . , .. uk ARBORICULTURE S1:' IFICATIONS AND STANDARDS OF PRACTICE The following specifications and standards are hereby established for the planting, pruning, removal and shrubs in the treelawns , streets Protection of trees and city: parks and public places in the ' A. SHRUBS ON TREELAWNS All vegetation on treelawns which is not considered a tree shall be maintained by the abutting property owner in such a manner that the said vegetation is not in violation of Section 8 . 12 . 020 of the 1981 Davenport City Code. B. PLANTING 1. All trees will be not less than one (1) inch in diameter of trunk, at six (6) inches above ground level. 2 . No tree shall be planted closer than two (2) feet from the curb line or outer line of the sidewalk . All trees shall be planted in line with each other and at a spacing of between thirty (30) and fifty ( 50) feet from. each other depending on the species of the tree. 3 . When planting, holes will be backfilled with soil . 4 . The following species and varieties are prohibited for planting on the boulevards and treelawns of public streets in the City: Silver maple (Acer saccarinum) , boxelder (Acer negundo) , willow (Salix spp. ) , poplar (Populus s fruit trees (except ornamental types pp' ) ' trees (except ) (Ailanthus spp. ) , nut ( p Quercus spp. ) , mulberry. 5 . No tree shall hereafter be planted at or within twenty (20) feet of an intersection. C. PRUNING 1 . All trees and shrubs, on public or private property, which have branches overhanging a public street or alley shall have said branches trimmed to a clearance height of thirteen ( 13 ) feet (sixteen ( 16) feet on an thoroughfare) , the entire width of the street or alley Principal trees and shrubs, on public or h all Private branches overhangingproperty, which have a public sidewalk shall have said branches trimmed to a clearance height of eight (8) feet, the entire width of the sidewalk. All trees and shrubs on Public or private property which have branches overhanging neighboring properties shall have said branches trimmed to a clearance height of eight (8) feet. All trees on public or private property which have branches in contact with neighboring buildings , houses, or garages shall have said branches trimmed to a clearance of t;,relve (12 ) feet away from said structure . The City Forester may waive the provisions of this section f or newly planted trees if he determines they do not interfere with public travel , obstruct the light of any street light, or endanger public safety. Any tree or shrub not trimmed as herein provided shall be subject to the provisions of Section 8 . 12 . 020 of the 1981 Davenport City Code. 2 . All deadwood , stubs , broken branches , badly formed branches , crossover branches, disease-infected and insect- infested branches and branches interfering with public travel , lighting, existing buildings and traffic signs shall be removed during the pruning operation , with consideration given to the - symmetry and beauty of the tree or shrub.: 3 . Topping or Heading Back shall be prohibited on any tree on i public property . The City Forester may waive the- provisions of this section for salvage pruning to save a tree or for line clearance when removal does not best serve public ' rit_ e`t, 4 . All pruning cuts s afl be made just outside the branch bark ridge; flush cuts and stubs are prohibited. 5 . The work site shall be cleaned up promptly and all tree trunks , limbs, branches, twigs and brush shall be disposed of in an authorized manner. D. REMOVING 1. . Removal of a public tree shall be complete, and the work site shall be cleaned up promptly and all tree trunks , limbs, branches, twigs and brush shall be disposed of in an authorized manner. 2 . Stumps and all surface roots shall be removed , debris cleaned up, and the hole shall be backfilled with black dirt. E. - PROTECTION 1. No person shall deposit, place, store, or maintain any material within the dripline of any public tree without first obtaining the proper permit, whether the material is on public or private property. 2 . No person shall permit construction vehicles or equipment to park or travel within the dripline of any public tree without first obtaining the proper permit , whether on public or private property. KAM/7/29/92