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Updated January 2025 – Gem Lake Consolidated Land Use Ordinance No. 131 154 9. Reforestation. 1. Tree Removal beyond the Removal Threshold. 1. If the land alteration results in tree removal beyond the tree removal thresho ld in Section 27.8 of this Ordinance, or as defined in Section 27.6 of this Ordinance, or a natural barrier is to be altered or removed, the applicant shall be required to submit a reforestation plan. The reforestation plan must be submitted and approved by the City Forester prior to final plat approval, if a subdivision is being done, or before the work of land alteration is begun. The reforestation plan shall include: 1. Location of proposed reforestation, and 1. Species and size of proposed plantings, and 2. Quantity of proposed plantings. 2. Reforestation Plan. 1. The reforestation plan shall comply with the following criteria: 1. Tree replacement will be predicated on the total number of diameter inches of significant trees removed beyond the threshold limits. 2. Actual replacement quantities shall be adjusted based on the type of trees removed in accordance with the following guidelines: 1. Class A - Conifer or Softwood- predominantly Poplar, Box Elder, Cottonwood, Aspen and Conifers: 75 % 2. Class B - Mixed Hardwoods - predominantly species other than Oak including, but not limited to, Cherry, Birch, Walnut, Elm, Ironwood, Maple, Basswood, Ash: 100 % 3. Class C - Hardwood - Predominantly mature Oaks: 125% 3. Where Trees are to be Located. 1. Trees to be provided as part of a reforestation plan shall be located adjacent to the development or proposed structures in areas such as yard setbacks, on outlots or common areas, at the project entrance area, in buffer zones between different land uses or roads, or at other locations as directed by the City. Reforestation shall occur in such a way as to replace trees removed with desirable trees of the same or similar species and/or densities. These trees must be planted based on the frequency and density as determined by the City Forester. 4. Sizes and Type of Replacement Trees. 1. Replacement trees must be no less than the following sizes: 1. Deciduous trees: 1. No less than two and one-half (2½") inches in diameter on steep slopes, or 2. No less than three (3") inches on all other grades. 2. Coniferous trees: 1. No less than six (6') feet high on steep slopes, or 2. No less than seven (7') feet high on all other grades.