20.770.050 Tree, Vegetation, and Soil Plan Required.
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A. Requirement established. A tree, vegetation, and soil plan that is in accordance with this chapter is required to obtain a tree removal permit based on activity or project referred to in Table 20.770.050-1.
B. Tree, Vegetation, and Soil plan requirements. The basic components of a tree, vegetation, and soil plan are a site plan with existing vegetation and proposed site activity, indication of the trees to be retained and removed based on the activity, location of trees for mitigation if required, and a description of protection during construction of trees, native vegetation, and healthy soils to be preserved. The scale of the project and the size and quantity of trees proposed for removal, preservation, and planting will determine which level of tree, vegetation, and soil plan is required. Table 20.770.050-1 lists activities or projects and the level of tree, vegetation, and soil plan typically required.
1. Level I Tree, Vegetation, and Soil Plan. A Level I tree, vegetation, and soil plan is required for proposed single family residence, short plat, multifamily (two to four units) or applicable single-family residence and multifamily (two to four units) proposing site disturbance. The plan can be developed by the applicant, but may require a qualified professional for significant wooded areas or trees on parcel. A Level I tree vegetation, and soil plan shall include the following components:
a. Site plan. The site plan shall show the footprint of the house(s), driveway(s), streets and any other improvements and grading, and the size, species and approximate location of trees to be removed and retained.
b. Tree, vegetation, and soil protection. If existing trees are to be retained and their critical root zone is within construction or disturbance areas, a tree, vegetation, and soil protection plan must be submitted.
c. Tree planting plan. The plan showing species of trees proposed for planting shall include location, size, and number of tree.
d. Tree density. The site plan shall include tree density calculations that show the required tree density and the tree density of existing trees to be retained and trees to be planted.
2. Level II Tree, Vegetation, and Soil Plan. A Level II tree, vegetation, and soil plan is required for existing commercial, industrial and multifamily (more than four units), parks, conditional use sites proposing an addition or site disturbance. It can be developed by the applicant but may require the assistance of a qualified professional. A Level II tree, vegetation, and soil plan shall include the following components:
a. Site plan. The site plan shall show the existing conditions and any new additions or site disturbances, as typically required for site plan review.
b. Tree, vegetation, and soil protection. If the proposed changes to the site will be within the critical root zone of any existing tree on site a tree, vegetation, and soil protection plan will be required. This plan shall be included on the grading plan, and shall include the following information:
1. Locations of existing tree(s) potentially impacted by the proposed site changes.
2. Assessment of the potential damage to the tree(s) by a qualified professional.
3. Any required measures to ensure protection of trees, vegetation, and soil to be preserved.
c. Tree planting plan. The planting plan shall include the following information:
1. Location, size, species, and numbers of trees to be planted.
2. Narrative description and detail showing any site preparation, installation and maintenance measures, necessary for the long-term survival and health of the trees.
3. Timeline for site preparation, installation and maintenance of plant materials.
4. Cost estimate for the purchase, installation and three-year maintenance of trees.
d. Tree density. Tree density calculations on the site plan shall include: area of site for tree density, tree density calculation for the existing trees to be preserved, and tree density calculation for trees proposed for planting.
3. Level III Tree, Vegetation, and Soil Plan. A Level III tree, vegetation, and soil plan is required for the removal of any nuisance tree or for determination of a hazard tree on applicable properties. Either tree, vegetation, and soil plan can be developed by the applicant for obvious cases, but may require the assistance of a qualified professional to make the determination. See VMC 20.770.070(D) and (E) VMC for nuisance and hazard tree removal criteria. A Level III tree, vegetation, and soil plan shall include the following components:
a. Site plan. The site plan shall show the approximate location of the tree(s), buildings, and any other pertinent site improvements.
b. Narrative report. A narrative shall include:
1. The species, size, and condition of the tree(s) in question.
2. Description of the problems associated with the tree including past history of problem, and methods attempted to alleviate the problems.
c. Tree replacement plan. Location and species of tree(s) proposed for replacement planting. The replacement would be one tree unit per tree removed. Replacement trees shall be of similar genetic potential or native species unless determined by the planning official. The plan shall include a timeline for installation of the required trees, and a cost estimate for the purchase, installation and three-year maintenance of the trees
4. Level IV Tree, Vegetation, and Soil Plan. A Level IV tree, vegetation, and soil plan is required for proposed residential subdivisions, commercial, industrial, multifamily (more than four units), parks, conditional use sites that do not have any existing trees or where existing trees will not be impacted nor pose a hazard to the proposed project. It can be developed by the applicant, but shall require an individual knowledgeable in landscape design, soils and tree species selection. A Level IV tree, vegetation, and soil plan shall include the following components:
a. Site plan. The site plan shall have the following information:
1. Approximate locations of any existing trees on site.
2. Species, size and condition of trees to be retained.
b. Planting plan. The planting plan shall include the following information:
1. Location, size, species and numbers of trees to be planted.
2. Narrative description and detail showing any site preparation, installation and maintenance measures, necessary for the long-term survival and health of the trees.
3. Timeline for site preparation, installation and maintenance of trees.
4. Cost estimate for the purchase, installation and three years’ maintenance of trees.
c. Tree density. Tree density calculations on the site plan shall include: area of site for tree density, tree density calculation for the existing trees to be preserved, and tree density calculation for trees proposed for planting.
5. Level V Tree, Vegetation, and Soil Plan. A Level V tree, vegetation, and soil plan is required for proposed residential subdivisions, commercial, industrial, multifamily (more than four units), parks, conditional use sites in which existing trees are proposed for removal, could be damaged by construction activities, and/or could become hazardous. If the activity includes tree retention and necessary protection adjacent to the development activity, the plan must be developed with the assistance of a qualified professional. The plan shall include the following information:
a. Site plan. Drawn to scale on the site plan shall be a map delineating vegetation types. Each type shall include the following information:
1. Average number of trees and basal area per acre, by species and two-inch diameter class for significantly wooded areas, which all or a portion of the stand is to be retained. For nonforested areas with individual trees, provide an inventory including size (dbh), species and condition of each tree and a general description of the vegetation present.
2. Narrative description of the potential for tree preservation for each vegetation type, and for individual trees that are or will be standalone. This report shall include soils, wind throw potential, insect and disease problems, and approximate distance to existing and proposed targets.
3. Description of any off-site tree or trees which could be adversely affected by the proposed activity, and the proposed mitigation for such impact.
b. Tree, vegetation, and soil protection plan. Drawn to scale on the grading and erosion control plans the tree, vegetation, and soil protection plan shall be made for trees to be preserved. It shall include the following information:
1. Surveyed locations, conducted by a surveyor licensed by the state of Washington, of perimeters of groves of trees or tree tracts and individual trees to be preserved outside of groves or tree tracts, adjacent to the proposed limits of construction. General locations of trees proposed for removal. The critical root zones of trees to be preserved shall be shown on the plan.
2. Limits of construction and existing and proposed grade changes on site.
3. Narrative description, graphic detail of tree, vegetation, and soil protection, and tree maintenance measures required for the preservation of existing trees to be preserved.
4. Timeline for clearing, grading and installation of tree, vegetation, and soil protection measures.
c. Tree planting plan. The planting plan shall include the following information:
1. Location, size, species and numbers of trees to be planted.
2. Narrative description and detail showing any site preparation, installation and maintenance measures, necessary for the long-term survival and health of the trees.
3. Timeline for site preparation, installation and maintenance of trees.
4. Cost estimate for the purchase, installation and three years’ maintenance of trees.
d. Tree density. The following information shall be included on the site plan: area of site for tree density, tree density calculation for the existing trees proposed for preservation, and tree density calculation for trees proposed for planting.
6. Level VI Tree, Vegetation, and Site Plan. A Level VI tree, vegetation, and soil plan is required for a conversion option harvest permit. The plan shall be developed by a qualified professional. A Level VI tree, vegetation, and soil plan shall include the following components:
a. Forest inventory. The professional tree inventory shall include:
1. A statistically accurate inventory and a stand stocking table showing the number of trees per acre, basal area per acre, and volume per acre by species and six-inch diameter class.
2. A map showing the locations of existing vegetation types delineated by forest type.
3. A map showing the location and a description of trees growing on adjacent property which may be jeopardized by the proposed activity.
4. A map showing any sensitive areas and the required sensitive area buffers, as defined in Chapters 20.770, 20.750 and 20.775 VMC and in the Shoreline Management Master Program.
5. A map showing the location and a description of any heritage trees as defined in VMC 20.770.120.
b. Harvest plan. The harvest plan shall include:
1. A description of the harvesting method.
2. A map showing the locations of trees proposed for removal, skid roads and landings.
3. A stand stocking table showing the volume, number, basal area, and species of trees proposed for removal.
4. Slash abatement plan, pursuant to Vancouver fire department standards.
5. An erosion control plan, pursuant to Chapter 20.720 VMC.
c. Reforestation/tree planting plan. The reforestation plan shall include:
1. Location, size, species and numbers of trees to be planted.
2. Narrative description and detail showing site preparation, installation and maintenance measures necessary for the long-term survival and health of the trees.
3. Timeline for site preparation, installation and maintenance of trees.
4. Cost estimate for the purchase, installation and three years’ maintenance of trees.
d. Tree density. The following information shall be included: area of site for tree density, tree density calculation for the existing trees proposed for retention, tree density calculation for trees proposed for planting.
7. Level VII Tree, Vegetation, and Soil Plan. A Level VII tree, vegetation, and soil plan is required for tree removal above the six-trees-per-acre limit on undeveloped properties. It can be developed by the applicant but may require the assistance of a qualified professional. A Level VII tree, vegetation, and soil plan shall include the following information:
a. Site plan. The site plan shall show the approximate location of the tree(s) buildings, and any other pertinent site improvements. It shall also list species and approximate size and condition of the tree.
b. Narrative report. The report shall include the following:
1. The species, size, and condition of the tree(s) in question.
2. Description of the reason for removal with short-term and long-term goals.
c. Planting plan. Location and species of trees proposed for replacement planting. This shall include a timeline for installation of the required trees, and a cost estimate for the purchase, installation and three years’ maintenance of the trees.
d. Tree density. Tree density calculations on the site plan shall include the density of the tree proposed for removal and the size and number of replacement trees proposed for planting.
|
Project of Activity |
Level |
|
|---|---|---|
|
1. |
Proposed single-family residence, short plat, and multifamily (1 – 4 units); applicable existing single-family residence proposing site disturbance |
I |
|
2. |
Existing commercial/industrial/multifamily (over 4 units)/parks/conditional use, proposing a building addition or other site disturbance |
II |
|
3. |
Nuisance or hazard tree removal permit |
III |
|
4. |
Proposed residential subdivisions, planned developments, commercial/industrial/multifamily (over 4 units)/parks/conditional use with no impact on trees |
IV |
|
5. |
Proposed residential subdivisions, planned developments, commercial/industrial/multifamily (over 4 units)/parks/conditional use in which trees are removed or will be impacted |
V |
|
6. |
Conversion option harvest permit |
VI |
|
7. |
Undeveloped parcels |
VII |
C. Application and fee. The application for a tree removal permit and/or tree, vegetation, and soil plan review shall be made on a form provided by the city, and shall be submitted at the same time as the tree, vegetation, and soil plan. The applicant shall pay a permit fee to the community development department.
D. Submittal of a tree plan. The application for a tree, vegetation, and soil plan and/or a tree removal permit shall be submitted with associated development permit applications, if applicable. (Ord. M-4402 § 3(T), 2023; Ord. M-4179 § 81, 2016; Ord. M-3840 § 30, 2007; Ord. M-3643, 2004)