§ 15.28.090. Standards.

No land disturbing activity subject to the control of this chapter shall be undertaken except in accordance with the following mandatory standards:

A.

Protection of property: Persons and entities conducting land disturbing activities shall take all reasonable measures to protect all public and private property from damage caused by such activities.

B.

Vegetation protection: Vegetation that is to be retained shall be delineated on the site plan.

C.

Wetland buffers: No land disturbing activity shall be permitted in an approved wetland buffer, except as otherwise allowed by applicable laws and permits.

D.

Graded slopes and fills: The angle for graded slopes and fills shall be no greater than the angle which can be retained by vegetative cover or other adequate erosion control devices or structures.

E.

Ground cover: No land disturbing activity shall be undertaken until installation of sufficient erosion and sediment control devices to retain the sediment generated by the activity within the boundaries of the tract during construction has been completed. Plantings or a permanent ground cover shall be provided immediately after completion of grading to sufficiently restrain erosion.

F.

Use of vegetative measures: Native plants shall be used for erosion and sediment control wherever feasible, rather than structural measures such as pipes, structures, or other devices.

G.

Critical areas: Construction within critical areas and critical area buffers shall be in compliance with Chapter 15.20 PAMC Environmentally Sensitive Areas Protection Ordinance and shall be subject to the review of the Director of Community and Economic Development.

H.

Removal of dead or diseased trees from environmentally sensitive areas or buffers is allowed provided that:

1.

The applicant submits a report from a certified arborist, registered landscape architect, or professional forester or arborist that documents the hazard and provides a replanting schedule for the replacement of trees;

2.

Tree cutting shall be limited to limbing and crown thinning, unless otherwise justified by a qualified professional. Where limbing or crown thinning is not sufficient to address the hazard, trees should be reduced in height to remove the hazard rather than cut at or near the base of the tree;

3.

All cut vegetation (tree stems, branches, tops, etc.) shall be left within the environmentally sensitive area or buffer unless removal is warranted due to the potential for disease transmittal to other vegetation, or if the environmentally sensitive area is a steep slope or marine bluff.

4.

The landowner shall replace any trees that are felled or topped with new trees at a ratio of two replacement trees for each tree felled or topped. (2:1) within one year in accordance with an approved restoration plan. Tree species that are native and indigenous to the site with a minimum caliper of two inches shall be used for replacement. When street tree(s) are removed, replacement trees or a fee-in-lieu shall be required in accordance with PAMC 11.13.050.

5.

If a tree to be removed provides critical habitat, such as an eagle perch, a qualified professional wildlife biologist shall be consulted to determine timing and methods or removal that will minimize impacts; and

6.

Hazard trees determined to pose an imminent threat or danger to public health or safety, to public or private property, or serious environmental degradation may be removed or pruned by the landowner prior to receiving written approval from the City of Port Angeles provided that following such action, the landowner shall submit a clearing and grading permit application accompanied by a restoration plan that demonstrates compliance with the provisions of this title.

(Ord. 3570 § 1, 12/20/2016; Ord. 3367 § 3, 8/15/2009; Ord. 3179 § 5 (part), 12/17/2004; Ord. 3071 § 3 (Part), 12/15/2000; Ord. 2734 § 1, 1/15/1993)