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a. Designation of Heritage Trees.

1. A tree owner may submit an application to the City requesting that the City Council establish by resolution the designation of a tree or group of trees located on his or her property as a heritage tree(s). Applications shall be submitted on a form supplied by the City. The Council may also, on its own motion, commence the process of designating a heritage tree. The City shall notify the owner of the proposed heritage tree(s) by mail twenty (20) days prior to the meeting to consider the application. Once an application has been submitted and prior to Council action, the tree or trees shall be afforded the same level of statutory protection as a designated heritage tree.

2. In order to designate a tree as a heritage tree, the City Council must find that the tree is a significantly beneficial feature of the community because it possesses one (1) or more of the following attributes:

(a) The tree is an outstanding specimen of a desirable species;

(b) The tree is one of the largest or oldest trees in Clearlake;

(c) The tree is of historical interest; or

(d) The tree is of distinctive appearance.

b. Declassification of Heritage Trees. An owner of a heritage tree may submit an application to the City requesting that the City Council declassify by resolution a tree or group of trees previously designated as a heritage tree(s). The Council may also, on its own motion, commence the process of declassifying a heritage tree. The City shall notify the owner of the heritage tree(s) twenty (20) days prior to the Council meeting scheduled for the proposed action.

The Council may declassify a heritage tree upon a finding that the tree(s) is no longer a significant community benefit because:

1. It has deteriorated in health or appearance;

2. It no longer has habitat value; or

3. It prevents reasonable use of the property. (Ord. #248-2020, S2 (Exh. A))