§ 12.16.060. Landmark trees.

A.

In order to initiate a landmark tree designation, the owner(s) of such trees shall sign the proposed designation resolution prior to city council adoption, thereby conferring consent for the tree(s) to be voluntarily designated as landmark tree(s) by the city and approved for the city to go upon the owner's property for monumentation, inspection and inventory. Trees may also be designated a landmark tree(s) as part of a city development approval or permit process (see Section 12.16.090). For such case the director shall sign the resolution after its adoption in lieu of the tree owner's(s') signature. The director shall sign as owner for all city-owned trees.

B.

The city council, upon recommendation of the planning commission, shall, after making any revisions it deems appropriate, designate landmark trees or landmark groves by resolution. The director shall administer the landmark tree program for the city.

C.

In the event a landmark tree(s) owner desires to remove landmark tree designation from his or her tree(s), the owner may petition the city council to adopt a resolution repealing landmark status from the tree(s).

D.

No landmark tree(s) shall be removed without the consent of the city council, nor shall any landmark trees be destroyed or damaged.

E.

The director shall maintain a permanent log of all trees designated. Such log shall consist of a copy of all resolutions designating landmark trees. Each resolution shall contain a landmark tree monumentation number, a photograph of the tree(s), a location map of the tree(s) on the property, the reasons why such tree(s) has been designated a landmark tree(s), and the signature and owner's(s') name, and the address and legal description of the property upon which the tree(s) is located. The director shall present a copy of the adopted resolution to the tree owner.

F.

The director shall install a permanent marker upon or near each landmark tree, identifying the tree as a landmark tree, and containing the tree monumentation number. One marker may be used for a landmark grove.

G.

The director shall cause the physical inspection and inventory of all landmark trees every three years to determine their condition and presence, and he/she shall report his or her findings publicly to the city council and the planning commission, via the city manager.

H.

Upon the death of a landmark tree, the director shall record the estimated date of death and suspected cause of death upon the resolution designating the tree. The director shall use such information to assist in determining future tree preservation programs for the city.

I.

No branches two inches or larger on a landmark tree shall be pruned without prior written approval of the director or the city tree coordinator.

(Ord. No. 656, § 1, 8-27-2013; Ord. No. 697, § 7, 10-23-2018)