§ 6.10. Preservation of Natural Features and Amenities

6.10.1 General : Existing features that would add value to residential development or to the City of Santa Fe as a whole, such as trees, as herein defined, watercourses and historic spots, and similar irreplaceable assets, shall be preserved in the design of the subdivision. No trees shall be removed from any subdivision nor any change of grade of the land effected until approval of the preliminary plat has been granted. All trees on the plat required to be retained shall be preserved, and all trees where required shall be welled and protected against change of grade. The sketch plat shall show the number and location of existing trees as required by these regulations and shall further indicate all those marked for retention and the location of all proposed shade trees required along the street side of each lot as required by these regulations.

6.10.2 Shade Trees Planted by Developer :

A. As a requirement of subdivision approval the applicant shall plant shade trees on the property of the subdivision. Such trees are to be planted within ten (10) feet of the right-of-way of the road or streets within and abutting the subdivision, or, at the discretion of the Planning Commission, within the right-of-way of such streets. One (1) tree shall be planted for every forty (40) feet of frontage along each road unless the Planning Commission, upon recommendation of the Santa Fe Development Officer, shall grant a waiver. The waiver shall be granted only if there are trees growing along the right-of-way or on the abutting property which, in the opinion of the Planning Commission, comply with these regulations.

B. New trees to be provided pursuant to these regulations shall be approved by the Santa Fe Development Officer and shall be planted in accordance with the regulations of the City. The trees shall have a minimum trunk diameter (measured twelve (12) inches above ground level) of not less than two (2) inches. Only indigenous long-lived shade trees, acceptable to the Planning Commission, shall be planted.

6.10.3 Shade Tree Easement and Dedication : The preliminary plat and final plat shall reserve an easement authorizing the City of Santa Fe to plant shade trees within ten (10) feet of the required right-of-way. No street shall be accepted for dedication until the City of Santa Fe shall inform the Planning Commission and the City Council that compliance, where necessary, has been made with these regulations.

(Ordinance No. 02-2010 of April 8, 2010, Secs. 25, 26)