regarding implementation of the tree preservation plan are further addressed below. <br />These include changes to the Tree Preservation Plan ÅNotesÆ on sheet L3.0, as <br />recommended conditions of approval, as follows: Replacement trees shall be a native <br />species, with a minimum caliper of 1 1Ì2 inches for deciduous trees and a minimum <br />height of 5 feet for coniferous trees. Any trees that must be replaced within private <br />preservation areas are the responsibility of that lot owner. Any trees that must be <br />replaced in Tracts A, B, C, and D will be the responsibility of the common owners or <br />homeowners association. <br />Any trees to be removed in Tract A, as a result of installation of the storm sewer system <br />between and near Lots 13 and 14, shall be replaced with two trees for every tree <br />removed, after the CityÈs acceptance of the system. Replacement trees shall be a native <br />species, with a minimum caliper of 1 1Ì2 inches for deciduous trees and a minimum <br />height of 5 feet for coniferous trees, and planted in the same general area. <br />The Eugene Planning staff references 9 criteria within this section of the code and claims <br />that the applicant has satisfied most of those criteria. We would argue that the applicant <br />has failed to meet all of the criteria (6 out of 9) that apply in this case. According to the <br />code, the applicant is supposed to preserve healthy trees. In fact, 58% of the trees the <br />applicant proposes to preserve are listed as in poor condition by their own standards. The <br />applicant is supposed to preserve trees in ÅstandsÆ that avoid windthrow. They have <br />preserved a long narrow stretch (Tract A), but this does not function as a stand of treesÄ <br />it is too narrow to withstand windthrow. Meanwhile, all the trees on the ridgeline and up <br />the slope will be subject to windthrow because the ridgeline trees will be removed. Trees <br />should be preserved as a buffer between incompatible uses. Tract A does serve as a small <br />buffer, no doubt, but there is no buffer on the northern side of the proposed Capital Hill <br />PUD where the lots abut Hendricks Park, EugeneÈs premier park. Trees should be <br />preserved along ridgelines. There is one conifer of significant size preserved along the <br />ridgeline above 901È feet. Trees of significant habitat value should be preserved. <br />According to James MerwinÈs Forestry report (attached to the Joint Response Committee <br />document), large trees are vitally important to the health of the forest for two important <br />reasons: they grow together to form collective strength against windthrow (a particular <br />threat on ridgelines) and the extensive root systems of large trees stabilize slopes against <br />landslide. As we have noted else where, 75% of the largest trees on the Proposed Capital <br />Hill PUD site may be removed as part of the construction process (this includes <br /> <br />