The city of Grass Valley recognizes the importance of trees to the character and beauty of Grass Valley as well as the role that trees have in advancing the public health, safety and welfare of its residents. The city has therefore determined that reasonable regulation of the removal of certain trees is necessary and that this regulation of trees is based upon the following general guidelines:

    A.    The city recognizes that trees can provide soil stability, noise buffering, and wind protection benefits. The city of Grass Valley greatly values trees for their ecological importance, temperature mitigation, enhanced wildlife habitat and aesthetics.

    B.    The city recognizes the special significance of heritage and distinctive trees, and values the contribution which such trees make to the beauty and quality of life in Grass Valley.

    C.    The city recognizes that because of the known benefits of trees, development property should be protected from unregulated removal of trees prior to the approval of development plans. Trees on such properties should be preserved so that they may be considered for incorporation into development plans.

    D.    The city recognizes that private and public properties often have special landscaping circumstances, and that these special circumstances have the potential to affect significantly larger numbers of persons if unregulated. Because of this, such properties require reasonable regulation. (Ord. 646 § 2 (part), 2005)