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Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday, August 24, 2015 <br /> Page 41 <br /> Mr. Gozola advised that the language had been drafted to provide for potential <br /> vacationing or unavailability of the forester, at which time someone else can be <br /> assigned that role provide they had the same qualifications. <br /> Councilmember McGehee questioned the difference in protecting roots through a <br /> drip line versus measuring the diameter at breast height of a tree, suggesting a <br /> simple calculation for residents was preferred. Councilmember McGehee clari- <br /> fied that she wasn't so much concerned in cost savings for developers,but for res- <br /> idents without access to or understanding a CADD system, the ordinance needed <br /> to provide an easy-to-use system that worked for all trees. <br /> Mr. Gozola provided rationale for choosing the "root protection zone" language <br /> as it was actually easier to measure in the CADD system without having to assess <br /> each and every tree for the drip line based on a particular species. Mr. Gozola ad- <br /> vised that this provided for an average methodology and provided overall cost <br /> savings for applicants — whether residents or developers, since they would both <br /> need to hire a survey done to locate trees. <br /> Councilmember McGehee further addressed her appreciation of including pruning <br /> based on timing if not allowing for wound dressing. <br /> Councilmember McGehee opined that it appeared that this draft exempted a lot of <br /> areas for ponding, rights-of-ways, and other areas that may need included; and <br /> asked if Mr. Gozola was aware of any other communities that may have addressed <br /> that concern. Councilmember McGehee noted problems in potential cutting of <br /> trees during the height of nesting that may be in the way, but endangering indi- <br /> vidual wildlife habitats. <br /> With few exceptions, Mr. Gozola opined that most cities would consider such a <br /> requirement to be onerous for residents in general. <br /> Sambatek Memorandum, Section I. Allowable Tree Removal, (page 4) <br /> Councilmember Etten expressed concern in tree removal process versus results, <br /> suggesting it may be just the opposite of what he intended. Councilmember Etten <br /> clarified that he was addressing developments clear cutting parcels with little tree <br /> return, dramatically affecting neighborhoods and ecosystems; and represented his <br /> reaction to several developments where this had happened within the last few <br /> years, where significant growth trees were gone and sticks planted. Councilmem- <br /> ber Etten noted this was a very important purpose aspect for him in the ordinance. <br /> General Observations <br /> Councilmember Etten expressed appreciation for a number of the pieces included <br /> in this draft, including the numbering systems to determine a clear way forward. <br />