TOWN OF STONY PLAIN POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL. Town of Stony Plain Public Tree Policy. I. Purpose

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1 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL Town of Stony Plain Public Tree Policy Date: September 28, 2009 Resolution No: 371/09/09SP Department: Business & Strategic Services Division: I. Purpose To establish policy and procedures for the protection and maintenance of trees on public land within the Town of Stony Plain. II. Definitions a. Public Land means and that is owned by the Town or road right-of-way that is within the jurisdiction of the Town. This land may include parks, public utility lots, road right-of-ways, and other land owned by the Town of Stony Plain. b. Public Tree means a tree that is located on public land. c. Setback means the minimum horizontal distance from the center of the tree trunk at grade to the property line or center line of a utility line. d. Town means the Town of Stony Plain in the Province of Alberta III. Public Tree Removal a. Anyone who wishes to have a public tree removed must submit a completed Public Tree Removal Application in accordance with the Public Tree Bylaw 2380/D&P/09 with the exception of trees within the landscaped area of the road right-of-way that is between the property line and the nearest pavement (being a multi-purpose trail, sidewalk, curb or street). b. Decisions regarding the removal of trees from public lands will be made on an individual basis with the following criteria as guidelines: i) Safety If a public tree is considered by the Operations Manager and/or Parks Foreman to be hazardous to people or damaging to structures, it will be removed at the Town s expense. Replacement of such trees will be done at the discretion of the Operations Manager and/or Parks Foreman.

2 ii) iii) iv) Tree Health If a public tree is in poor health and may spread disease, or is deteriorating beyond recovery as determined by the Parks Foreman, it may be removed at the Town s expense. Replacement of such trees will be done at the discretion of the Operations Manager and/or Parks Foreman. The Town will follow the Integrated Pest Management Policy where applicable. Nuisance If a tree is deemed to be a nuisance, but is not hazardous or in poor health, the tree can be considered for removal at the complainant s expense. Replacement of such trees will be mandatory and at the complainant s expense with approval of size and species by the Operations Manager and/or Parks Foreman. Consideration for removal will include a written request from the complainant detailing the reasons for removal. The Operations Manager and Parks Foreman will review this with a site visit to determine the condition, size and value of the tree. A written report of findings including the decision regarding possible removal at who s expense and replacement considerations will be returned to the applicant within one month of the date of the completed application. Development If a public tree is to be removed because of the development of the land on which it stands, efforts will be taken to save the tree during the construction or development. If the tree cannot be saved it will be replaced at the developer s expense. Replacements must be approved in size and species by the Parks Foreman and/or Operations Manager. c. Appeals to a Public Tree Removal Application decision will be handled by Town Council. d. An assessment of the tree will be completed by the Parks Foreman, or Town Arborist prior to the removal of any public tree with the exception of trees within the landscaped area of the road right-of-way that is between the property line and the nearest pavement (being a multi-purpose trail, sidewalk, curb or street). The minimum assessment of the tree shall include the completion of the Tree Hazard Assessment Report in Appendix A or the Tree Structural Risk Inspection Report in Appendix B. IV. Planting Trees on Public Land a. Trees may not be planted on public land, except for under the following circumstances: b. Trees are being planted by the Town or on behalf of the Town with the written authorization of the Manager of Operations. c. Trees may be planted on behalf of the Town without the written authorization of the Manager of Operations if they are planted in the space between the property Page 2 of 8

3 line and the nearest pavement within the road right-of-way (being a multi-purpose trail, sidewalk, curb or street), subject to the following requirements: V. Maintaining Public Trees i. Minimum 1.0 metre setback from the nearest pavement ii. Minimum 3.0 metre setback from the centerline of any underground utility iii. Minimum 3.0 metre setback from overhead utilities for trees that will grow to 5.0 metres or more in height when mature. a. The Operations Department shall maintain all public trees within parks, public utility lots, boulevards, meridians, and the road right-of-way with the exception of trees within the area between the property line and the nearest pavement within the road right-of-way (being a trail, sidewalk, curb or street). b. The closest private property owner shall maintain all trees within the area between the property line and the nearest pavement within the road right-of-way (being a trail, sidewalk, curb or street). VI. Enforcement a. An escalating process of notices, fines, and orders may be employed to enforce the Public Tree Bylaw. These processes will be carried out by the Town s designated officer. VII. Attachments a. Appendix A Tree Hazard Assessment Report b. Appendix B Tree Structural Risk Assessment Report c. Public Tree Removal Application Form Page 3 of 8

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7 Town of Stony Plain TREE REMOVAL APPLICATION FORM AVE Stony Plain AB T7Z 1Y1 Phone: Fax: APPLICANT NAME: MAILING ADDRESS: TOWN/CITY: PROVINCE: POSTAL CODE: PHONE: ADDRESS/DESCRIPTION OF TREE REMOVAL: # OF TREE PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING FOR THE TREE(S) TO BE REMOVED APPROXIMATE SIZE (IN FEET) SPECIES OF TREE CONDITION HEIGHT TRUNK DIAMETER REASON FOR REMOVAL: IMPORTANT: PLEASE INDICATE ON THE FOLLOWING SITE PLAN TEMPLATE THE LOCATION OF THE TREE TO BE REMOVED. IF POSSIBLE, PLEASE INCLUDE A PICTURE I AGREE TO COMPLY WITH THE PUBLIC TREE BYLAW 2380/G/09. I GRANT PERMISSION TO THE TOWN FOR EMPLOYEES OR DESIGNATE TO ENTER THE ABOVE PROPERTY TO INSPECT THE TREES REQUESTED FOR REMOVAL AND INVESTIGATE ANY TREES THAT MAY APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN ALREADY UNLAWFULLY REMOVED SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT COLLECTION AND USE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION: DATE PERSONAL INFORMATION IS COLLECTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 33(C) OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND PROTECTION OF PRIVACY ACT. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE COLLECTION AND USE OF THE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT AT (780) OFFICE USE ONLY APPROVED BY: SIGNATURE DATE

8 SITE PLAN: N W E IN THE AREA ABOVE PLEASE DRAW/INDICATE: S ADJACENT ROAD(S) TO THE PROPERTY LOCATION OF ANY BUILDINGS LOCATION OF TREE(S) TO BE REMOVED ANY OTHER SIGNIFICANT CHARACTERISTICS ON THE PROPERTY