The ordinance under consideration revises Chapter 150 STREET USE AND MAINTENANCE and makes wholesale changes to Chapter 166 TREES of the Municipal Code.
The revision to Chapter 150 addresses the responsibility for irrigation lines that are installed by homeowners within the right-of-way (R/W). Many residents have irrigation lines installed between the sidewalk and curb in front of their homes. These lines do not normally pose an issue for the City. However, when street or utility reconstruction projects are completed, the irrigation lines may be in conflict with the improvements. In those situations, the City is not responsible for locating and preserving the irrigation lines. Nor is the City responsible for replacing them when they are removed by the construction. The revision to Chapter 150 codifies the property owner's responsibility for their irrigation lines in such situations.
The wholesale changes to Chapter 166 TREES of the Municipal Code updates this section to align with staff's current practices in regard to street trees and trees that overhang the street R/W. The eight new sections of chapter:
- Better define the need for a permit when a tree is planted in the R/W.
- Utilize the Street Tree Planting Permit Guidelines for the list of trees that are allowed to be planted within the R/W.
- Better stipulate how and when trees need to be trimmed to protect the clear space within the R/W. This helps preserve the areas above sidewalks (for pedestrians) and streets (for snow plow and other large vehicle clearance).
Staff recommends approval of the ordinance change.
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