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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-29-23 Public Comment - M. Kaveney - Comments for UPF Advisory BoardFrom:Marcia Kaveney To:Agenda Subject:[EXTERNAL]Comments for UPF Advisory Board Date:Thursday, September 28, 2023 5:40:25 PM Attachments:Tree Codes 9282023.docx CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Dear Advisory Board Members- Attached please find a copy of my comments regarding tree protection and trails inwatercourse setbacks for the UDC updates. I hope you will consider adopting the ideas as your own and edit the language where needed to make the codes stronger and easier to apply. Thank you, Marcia Kaveney UDC Codes re: Trees and Urban Parks and Forestry Comments by Marcia Kaveney, 9/28/2023 Sec. 38. 410.010. General Standards. B. B. Natural environment. The design and development of all land uses must be properly related to topography, and must, to the extent possible, preserve the natural terrain, natural drainage, exis�ng topsoil, trees and other exis�ng vegeta�on. *Recommend change to: “The design and development of all land uses must be in relation to and harmony with the natural topography of the land, and preserve the majority (over 60%) of the natural topography, utilize and/or enhance the natural drainage of the land, preserve(not disturb) the existing topsoil except in locations of approved hardscape, preserve all mature trees over 6” DBH (Diameter at Breast Height), and preserve other existing vegetation such as mature shrubs, decorative smaller trees, and grasses except in approved hard scape locations. Demonstrated efforts need to be made to locate buildings, streets, and sidewalks in areas that do not disturb the health and survivability of existing trees. On properties larger than .30 acres, an independently contracted inventory of the existing mature trees (over 6” DBH) and fully grown shrubs and small trees such as chokecherries and aspen groves must be provided in all pre- applications and subsequent applications and included on the applicants checklist. Ar�cle 6. Natural Resource Protec�on 6-1 • Add Division 38.630. Trees and Urban Forest Regulations. to be filled in with time. Tree references are many but should be in one easy to find area. This Division will be a holding spot while the public and staff organize the tree preservation regulations for the public, staff, and building sector to refer to. If the Urban Forest is truly considered a valuable natural resource then we need to make room for it. Watercourse Setbacks Sec. 38.620.010. D. 2. Trails and trail-related improvements may be placed within the required watercourse setback subject to the following provisions: a. Trails, and trail-related improvements such as benches and trail signage, may be placed in Zone 2; Recommend change to: “may NOT be placed in zone 1 or 2”. Watercourses change over time and can change often. Trails placed in a parallel fashion encourage erosion during periods of spring runoff. Residents have been known to take matters into their own hands and create more erosion problems- expensive for the city or HOAs to remediate. Trails in Zone 2 interfere with normal habitat changes such as beaver habitat. Beavers are known to be excellent at flood control but if trails are placed in zone 2 such as in Legends II HoA, then the residents who are now accustomed to their trail are put in the position of trapping beavers each year- the antithesis to the BCP to support small animal wildlife habitat.