TREE COMMISSION FAQ

1) What are Landscape Inspections?
A landscape inspection is an inspection by the relevant City department to review the site improvements pertaining to landscape plant material to ensure that it has been installed in accordance with the plans and specifications approved by the city.

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2) What are the Landscape Requirements?
These are the requirements for the installation of plant material as part of the development process on residential or nonresidential land. Landscape requirements are to be integrated into the building arrangements, topography, parking, and buffers. It includes trees, shrubs, ground cover, perennials, annuals, plant sculpture, art, and the use of building and paving materials in a manner that respects the natural topographic features and natural resources of the site. For information regarding requirements on a specific site, please see the Franklin Zoning Ordinance and Design Standards.

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3) What is the Tree Bank?
The tree bank is a fund to receive monies from owners or developers who remain unable to successfully plant and maintain replacement and/or supplemental trees on their site under development, with such monies to be used for planting public trees. This fund shall also be used for charitable contributions given to the city for planting trees. The applicant may contribute to the tree bank an amount of money equal to the costs of providing the required density of replacement trees, according to a fee schedule approved by the Franklin Tree Commission, and in the event that the planning commission determines that a site is eligible and what percentage of the requirement may be contributed.

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4) What is the Tree Board?
The duties of the Franklin Tree Commission include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Make recommendations to the board of mayor and aldermen in planning for the use of tree bank funds and charitable donations of trees or money.
2. Planning and holding an annual Arbor Day ceremony,
3. Make recommendations to the board of mayor and aldermen in the preparation of a tree plan for the community,
4. Maintenance of a recommended tree list for the community,
5. Establishment of an official city tree,
6. Make recommendations to the board of mayor and aldermen in the adoption of rules and regulations pertaining to the tree program,
7. Coordination of tree-related activities,
8. Provision of tree information to the community,
9. Recognition of groups and individuals completing tree projects, and
10. Coordination of publicity concerning trees and tree programs,
11. To achieve and maintain status of Tree City USA.

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5) Do I need a Tree Removal Permit and where can I get one?
A permit is required for removing or demolishing live trees four (4) inches or larger in diameter at breast height (DBH). The following are exceptions:

1. There is the danger of a tree falling and damaging structures;
2. Detriments to access;
3. Root damage will result to utilities or structures;
4. Sight distance will be affected;
5. Encroachment into established easements;
6. Written verification is offered from a qualified specialist that a tree is dead or dying;
7. Required by the Stormwater Management Permit for stormwater management activities;
8. Residential lots of one (1) acre or less which are located in a residential zoning district; or
9. The Codes Director may make exceptions, in extraordinary circumstances, as he so determines.

To ensure adequate review of existing trees by the City staff, a tree-cutting permit shall only be issued for:

1. A residential lot in a recorded subdivision;
2. A lot in an approved residential site plan or final subdivision plat;
3. Nonresidential lots that have been granted site plan approval; and
4. Lots greater than one (1) acre in a residential or agricultural zoning district, which shall maintain the minimum density requirements of twenty-one (21) trees per acre. The codes director may refuse all, or a portion, of a tree-cutting permit to prevent the applicant from clear-cutting trees to avoid adequate review per this Section.

Contact the Codes Department for more information regarding Tree Removal Permits.

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