PDF Page 72 <br />This criterion is met. <br />(b) Tree Preservation. The proposed project shall be designed and sited to preserve <br />significant trees to the greatest degree attainable or feasible, with trees having <br />the following characteristics given the highest priority for preservation: <br />1. Healthy trees that have a reasonable chance of survival considering the base <br />zone or special area zone designation and other applicable approval criteria; <br />2. Trees located within vegetated corridors and stands rather than individual <br />isolated trees subject to windthrow; <br />3. Trees that fulfill a screening function, provide relief from glare, or shade <br />expansive areas of pavement; <br />9. Trees that provide a buffer between potentially incompatible land uses; <br />5. Trees located along the perimeter of the lot(s) and within building setback <br />areas; <br />6. Trees and stands of trees located along ridgelines and within view corridors; <br />7. Trees with significant habitat value; <br />8. Trees adjacent to public parks, open space and streets; <br />9. Trees located along a water feature; <br />10. Heritage trees. <br />See the Report of the Project Arborist, Kyle W. King, submitted as Prehearing Exhibit 3.2. That <br />report establishes the following: <br />G The health of the trees across the site is about the same overall: some good, some bad. <br />Based on the health of the trees, there is no reason to try to preserve everything in any <br />particular portion of the site, rather than another portion. <br />Reducing the number of proposed single-family home sites to only 75, as in the current <br />proposal (from something like 225 lots in an earlier proposal), coupled with the <br />homesite disturbance limits and setback distances, results in significant area that will be <br />preserved. <br />C. In addition to homesite tree preservation, tree preservation will occur in the large areas. <br />to be left as open space at the east and west ends of the project, in the riparian corridors <br />that will be substantially untouched, and in the ridgeline strip that will remain forested. <br />o Focusing on habitat area and not individual trees is a more sustainable objective. <br />Meaningful area provides diverse habitat (mixed canopy, understory, forest floor, etc) <br />which provides healthier forest ecology (shade, soil moisture, slope stability) while also <br />providing for a healthy wildlife environment (avian and terrestrial). <br />Laurel Ridge Applicant Final Argument - Page 38 <br />121 <br />Laurel Ridge Record (Z 15-5) Page 876 <br />