<br />July 2025 Findings & Decision of the Planning Director Page 7 of 10 <br />Headwaters Trail Electric Upgrade (SDR 25-1) <br />(c) Where non-native or damaged trees are removed within 25 feet of a Category B, C, <br />or D stream within the /WR conservation area, they shall be replaced with native tree or <br />large shrub species and located so as to achieve equal or greater shading of the chan nel <br />during times of peak solar input as the trees removed. <br />Note 2 of the applicant’s site plan states that, “Any non-native or damages trees which are <br />injured or need to be removed due to project construction within 25 feet of Amazon Creek, <br />shall be replaced in accordance with EC 9.4980(3)(c)”. Based on the inclusion of this note, this <br />standard is met. <br />(d) Replanting of areas cleared of existing vegetation must be completed within 90 days <br />following the removal or clearing, unless otherwise approved by the planning director. <br />While the applicant’s narrative states that planting will occur within 90 days, Note 3 of the <br />applicant’s site plan states that, “Any replanting required under EC 9.4980(3) shall occur by the <br />last day of the year that the clearing of existing vegetation was performed, unless a change to <br />this deadline is authorized by the planning director.” Given the discrepancy, it is understood <br />that the applicant is likely requesting addition time to account for the fact that 90 days from <br />removal may result in planting during unsuitable planting conditions or seasons that will result <br />in failed propagation and successful plantings. Therefore, the request is approved and <br />replanting will commence in accordance with the included note, which requires replanting by <br />December 31st of whatever year the work is conducted. Based on these findings, this standard <br />is met. <br /> (e) Plantings shall not adversely affect adjacent protected water resources or existing <br />native vegetation through shading or invasion by plant species introduced into the <br />setback. <br />Native plant types will be selected from the approved Goal 5 species list. No plantings are <br />anticipated to adversely affect adjacent resources and were selected based on their <br />appropriateness for the topography and existing native plants. Based on the available evidence, <br />this standard is met. <br />(4) Construction Practices. Construction within the /WR conservation area, and within areas <br />removed from the /WR conservation area shall comply with the following standards: <br />(a) For purposes of this subsection, heavy machinery is defined as motorized or <br />mechanized machinery or equipment capable of deliberately or inadvertently damaging <br />vegetation, or damaging or compacting soil. The following standards shall apply to use of <br />heavy machinery within the /WR conservation area: <br />1. On sites where soils are susceptible to severe compaction or structural damage <br />when wet or saturated, use of heavy machinery shall be limited to the period <br />between June 15 and September 30, unless otherwise approved by the planning <br />director.