9525.9. - Oak Trees.

The city's oak tree ordinance (section 9657 et seq.) shall not apply to a project seeking approval under the AH overlay district, except for the following: section II. definitions of appendix A of article IX of the Agoura Hills Municipal Code, title IV of appendix A; section IV., items D, E, and items 2 and 3 of F of appendix A of title IV; section V. standards for performance of required work of appendix A of title IV; items 3 and 4 of section V. standards for performance of required work of appendix A of title IV; and item E of section 9657.5 oak tree permit. A project seeking approval under the AH overlay district shall comply with the following.

A.

If a project involves the removal of or encroachment greater than twenty-five (25) percent into the root zone or canopy zone of a protected oak tree that is forty-eight (48) inches in diameter or less per the city's oak tree ordinance and guidelines (valley oak, coast live oak), one (1) 24-inch-box minimum size oak tree of the same species shall be planted on the site. For scrub oak species protected per the city's oak tree ordinance and guidelines, on-site replacement for removal shall be equal to the square footage of the area removed, with scrub oaks of the same species planted to a five-foot on center spacing within the replacement area.

B.

If a project involves the removal of up to ten (10) protected oak trees within the project site, not more than twenty-five (25) percent of the total estimated tree canopy or root structure of all protected oak trees on that project site shall be removed. If the project involves the removal of eleven (11) or more protected oak trees within the project site, not more than thirty-five (35) percent of the total estimated tree canopy or root structure of all protected oak trees on the project site shall be removed.

C.

For the purpose of providing natural stabilization of hillsides and preservation of native landscaping, a minimum of seventy-five (75) percent of all native trees on a slope steeper than fifty (50) percent shall be retained.

D.

The removal of or encroachment greater than twenty-five (25) percent into the root zone or canopy zone of a protected "landmark" oak tree (trees whose diameter exceeds forty-eight (48) inches) is prohibited.

(Ord. No. 22-461, § 7, 8-24-2022)