15.32.100 Threshold of significance for the removal of heritage trees.
The city council declares that the removal of the following heritage trees could potentially have a significant impact on the environment and that an initial study and mitigated negative declaration or environmental impact should be prepared:
A. More than two heritage trees on parcels of land with an area less than one acre. The removal of two or fewer heritage trees is exempt from further environmental review.
B. More than five heritage trees on parcels of land with an area of one acre, but less than two acres. The removal of five or fewer heritage trees is exempt from further environmental review.
C. More than seven heritage trees on parcels of land with an area greater than two acres. The removal of seven or fewer heritage trees is exempt from further environmental review.
D. More than three heritage trees within a grove, screen, stand or closely planted area. The removal of three or fewer heritage trees in such situation is exempt from further environmental review.
The applicable environmental determination shall be valid for a period of five years.
In compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the city council finds that heritage trees located outside of the tree preservation area can be removed as a matter of right and that such removal is therefore considered to be a ministerial act, statutorily exempt from CEQA, and the city council further finds that dead or dangerous heritage trees may be considered categorically exempt from CEQA. (Ord. 545 § 2, 2003)