§ 33-6.27.6. Standards for the preservation of protected trees.

(a)

Generally. A protected tree shall be preserved and protected in accordance with the standards of this section, and shall be replaced in accordance with section 33-6.27.9 if approved for cutting or clearing. In addition to the standards below, the parish landscape architect or parish arborist may recommend additional tree preservation requirements.

(b)

Protection during construction activities. Construction activity, including excavation, filling, grading, trenching, demolition, construction, or other activity is prohibited within the root protection zone (RPZ), except as provided in this section. When a tree protection plan is required, the following minimum requirements for preservation of protected trees shall apply:

(1)

Protective barrier. Prior to any construction activity, the property owner shall erect a protective barrier around each protected tree or group of protected trees that are designated for preservation, as follows:

a.

A protective barrier shall be a minimum of six (6) feet high and constructed of chain-link fence that will remain in place until construction is completed;

b.

The barrier shall be erected and maintained at least one (1) foot past the root protection zone of the protected tree(s), or ten (10) feet from the base of the tree(s), whichever is greater. The parish landscape architect or parish arborist may approve barrier placement within the RPZ based on site conditions;

c.

Barriers shall be self-supporting and not supported by the plants they are protecting;

d.

A weatherproof or metal sign shall be mounted on the tree protection fencing with minimum dimensions of three (3) feet in height by five (5) feet in width; with the following notice printed on the sign in English and Spanish, "Tree Protection Area Do Not Enter."

(2)

Barrier exception. Where site conditions make a protective barrier impracticable as determined by the parish landscape architect or parish arborist, as applicable, the parish landscape architect or arborist may grant an exception to the erection of all or part of the barrier for all or part of the construction period, provided that the RPZ is protected by three-quarter-inch plywood sheets placed around the protected tree(s) in the RPZ on a minimum six-inch base of shredded hardwood mulch, or by any other measure deemed necessary by the landscape architect or arborist.

(3)

Trenching or digging. Trenching or digging may occur within the RPZ subject to the following requirements:

a.

The method for any excavation to deal with displaced roots shall be air spade, root pruning, or other commonly accepted horticultural method as approved by the parish landscape architect or parish arborist, in accordance with the following criteria:

1.

Air spade shall mean the use of specialized mechanical equipment to expose roots, leaving them intact, followed by the manual redirection of roots away from excavated areas;

2.

Root pruning shall mean cleanly severing the roots according to commonly accepted horticultural methods;

b.

The excavation shall be as shallow as possible;

c.

Roots to be cut shall be cut as shallow as possible and only to the depth of the excavation.

(4)

Directional boring. Directional boring shall be used for utilities within the RPZ under two (2) conditions:

a.

The boring enters and exits outside the RPZ;

b.

The depth of boring is greater than twenty-four (24) inches.

(5)

Additional plantings. Any additional landscape bed plantings within the RPZ shall be installed by hand. A roto tiller shall not be used within the RPZ.

(6)

Parking or storage prohibited. There shall be no parking of vehicles or equipment or storage of building materials within the RPZ, with the following exception: Pilings may be temporarily stored on site within the RPZ for a maximum of one (1) week from the start of construction without erecting the required fencing.

(7)

Mixing or dumping prohibited. No mixing or dumping of building materials, chemicals, or paints, and no rinsing of tools or equipment, is allowed within the RPZ.

(8)

Access. Contractor vehicles and equipment shall use only one (1) access route in and out of the property and this access route shall be the existing or proposed driveway. If an existing driveway is used for access and is to be demolished, it shall be the last feature demolished during the demolition/new construction process. In cases where there is no existing driveway, the parish landscape architect or parish arborist, as applicable, shall evaluate the impact of the proposed access route on protected trees and may recommend alternate routes.

(9)

RPZ extension. If a protected tree does not require protection because less than fifty (50) percent of its base is within a protected area, but the RPZ of the tree extends into a protected area, all reasonable steps to save the protected tree shall be taken. These steps include, but are not limited to, an aeration system, tree wells, retaining walls, deep root fertilizer injections, and selective pruning (thinning out) of the tree canopy and root pruning.

(c)

Preservation through site design standards.

(1)

There shall be no soil fill greater than two (2) inches, other than wood chips or mulch, within the RPZ.

(2)

Paving within the RPZ shall be permeable. In situations where the paving within the RPZ continuously extends outside the RPZ, the portions outside the RPZ may be constructed of the same permeable material used within the RPZ. Pouring concrete to replace an existing sidewalk or entrance walk within the RPZ is allowed only when a material such as a plastic vapor barrier is laid down first permeable material is used.

(d)

Cutting or clearing protected trees. The parish landscape architect or parish arborist may allow, through the applicable development approval procedures, the cutting or clearing of a protected tree under the following circumstances:

(1)

The protected tree is diseased or hazardous, as certified by a licensed arborist.

(2)

Where the buildable area is a preservation area, the protected tree is located in the buildable area and would substantially hinder the development of the site.

(3)

Only the parish council may approve the cutting or removal of a heritage, historic, or landmark tree.

(Ord. No. 25405 , § 37, 8-9-17)