When a site development permit is required, a site development plan sheet entitled "Woodland/Tree Protection & Landscaping Plan" (the “Plan”) may be required. The purpose of the Plan is to protect native trees and native woodlands within the Village by regulating and limiting their removal in order to safeguard their benefits for this and succeeding generations. The protection and regeneration of native trees will promote the repair of ecologically disturbed native woodlands and the gradual restoration of the native woodlands once prevalent throughout the Village.
The Plan shall be drawn at a minimum scale of 1”=20’. Where applicable, the following items of information must be included within the Plan.
- All existing (items to be denoted by dashed outline if to be removed) and proposed improvements on the property, including the location of existing buildings, structures, and pavements to be retained or removed.
- Location of temporary markers delineating the limits of protected woodland under the Riverwoods Tree and Woodland Protection Ordinance.
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Location of protective tree fencing. All protective tree fencing shall be of a minimum 4-feet high chain link fence construction with anchored posts (driven or pinned to ground, no sand bagging) and chain link fabric meeting such specifications as from time to time may be required by the Director of Community Services to establish sturdy and reliable fencing.
Protective tree fencing shall be placed at the perimeter of each tree’s critical root zone which is defined as the area inscribed by a circular line on the ground beneath a tree having as its center point the center of the trunk of the tree and a radius equal to one foot (1') for every inch of diameter at breast height (dbh).
- Location of a minimum 6-foot high temporary chain link perimeter area construction fencing with anchored posts (driven or pinned to ground, no sand bagging) and chain link fabric meeting such specifications as from time to time required by the Director of Community Services to establish sturdy and reliable fencing, and lockable gate, no sharp edges are permitted at the top of the fence. The fence shall be located a minimum of 10 feet from all disturbed ground surfaces and all structures proposed, to be altered, or to be demolished.
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A tabulated Tree Survey of all regulated trees (except buckthorn and honeysuckle) 1.5" to 6" dbh (and multi-stem variations) extending a minimum of twenty feet (20') beyond the construction limits and all six inch (6") dbh and greater regulated trees extending a minimum of forty feet (40') beyond the construction limits and overlaid directly upon the woodland/tree protection and landscaping plans contained in the site development plan, showing the tag number, species, size (dbh), condition, percent of critical root zone permanently impacted of all regulated trees, and any action required (i.e. pruning, root pruning, etc.) for each tree.
A Regulated Tree is defined as any tree located in the Village, together with its root system, having a primary stem or trunk that is at least one and one-half inches (1.5") dbh or greater and is at least six feet (6') tall, and any multi-stemmed variation (where all stems are less than 1.5 inches dbh) of the tree species that is at least six feet (6') tall. All portions of critical root zones extending into the area outlined by the perimeter area construction fence shall be deemed to be permanently impacted.
The survey shall distinguish among trees to be preserved, pruned, root pruned, transplanted, or removed. The owner may exclude areas of the site or trees under six inches (6") dbh from the tree survey, if the Village Ecologist determines that the proposed construction or other activity will not impact those areas.
- The Tree Survey shall indicate the total area of designated protected woodland and the total area of existing woodland to be removed. With respect to any parcel in the Village, it shall be unlawful for any person to cause or permit any removal of protected woodland on such parcel to such an extent as to result in a net, aggregate loss of more than twenty percent (20%) of the area of such parcel's protected woodland.
- If excavation is required for a new structure, addition, foundation, utility installation or drainage improvement, then the site preparation plan shall indicate the following:
- Location of existing utility lines, above or below ground.
- Location of pits required for directional boring for utilities.
- Point of disconnection of electric, gas, sewer, and water service lines.
- Point of connection of electric, gas, sewer, and water service lines.
- The attached WOODLAND/TREE PROTECTION & LANDSCAPING PLAN sheet notes shall be added to the drawing.
- The attached Lot Coverage Table shall be added to the drawing and completely filled in. The maximum percentage of impact to the existing woodland is twenty (20) percent.
- The attached WOODLAND/TREE PROTECTION & LANDSCAPING PLAN certificate shall be added to the drawing. The property owner must sign the drawing prior to the issuance of a site development or building permit.
Sheet Notes:
- Existing Protected Woodland and trees/shrubs to remain in place shall be protected against unnecessary cutting, breaking or skinning of roots, skinning and bruising of bark, smothering by stockpiling of construction materials or excavated materials, excess foot or vehicular traffic or parking of vehicles within the woodland protection area.
- The woodland protection area shall be fenced off with a chain-link fence during construction and landscape implementation. The critical root zone of all protected trees & shrubs extending beyond the woodland protection area and into the construction area shall be protected with a fence, a minimum of 6 inches of wood mulch, or other protective measure as approved by the Village.
- Protected Woodland and trees/shrubs that are damaged by construction operations shall be repaired or replaced in a manner acceptable to the Village.
- No construction equipment shall be operated or construction material or excavated material stored outside the protective fencing or in areas of protected woodland.
- Removal of dead, diseased, and/or invasive species of trees and shrubs within the woodland protection area shall be done by hand as not to disturb the protected trees/shrubs and ground layer. Stumps shall be cut to within 2 inches of the soil surface or ground out. Cut material shall be either disposed of off-site, burned in piles as approved by the Village, and/or mulched (outside the woodland protection area). The main trunk of larger trees can be left within the woodland protection area as laydowns to simulate natural decay processes.
See below or click here for the full Woodland/Tree Protection & Landscaping Plan Submittal Requirements, Lot Coverage Table and Certificate (Owner signature required).