Tree Protection Plans For Beaverton's Construction Projects
Beaverton is a city located in the Washington County region of Oregon. Notable for its growing population and for being home to the region’s major mall, Beaverton is a hotspot for residents of surrounding towns as well as out-of-state visitors.
With such a growing population, development and construction is always a factor. With development comes the need for tree protection plans during construction projects.
These plans ensure the safety of trees on private and public land and prevent damage or removal of trees during construction projects. These protections are required by the City of Beaverton and provided by certified arborists.
This article will discuss how to obtain these tree protection plans and why they are important for both developers and contractors working in the city.
Learn about the requirements for submitting a proposal
In order to receive payment, tree removal contractors must submit a proposal to the city. In this proposal, they must outline their plan for tree protection.
This includes specifying the kinds of protective measures they will use during work, how they will enforce these measures, and how they will monitor them.
The city reviews these proposals and may ask contractors to make changes. If a contractor does not agree with the city’s requests, then the city will find another contractor to complete the job.
By requiring tree protection proposals, Beaverton ensures that all tree removal contractors use similar safety measures. This way, all trees are given a fair chance at survival during construction projects.
If you are interested in learning more about these requirements, check out the City of Beaverton’s website.
Review the guidelines for submission
In Beaverton, tree protection plans are required for most construction projects. These include things like new buildings, roof replacements, and landscaping changes that may impact trees.
All project planners must submit a tree protection plan to the urban forestry division for approval. This is to ensure the safety of existing trees on the project site and the planting of new trees.
Beaverton requires at least one arborist to evaluate the proposed project and provide input on how to protect trees on site. The evaluation may also require a survey of existing trees to determine safety and replacement needs.
Project planners are strongly encouraged to consult with urban forestry prior to submission and during planning to avoid costly mistakes that could put trees at risk.
Know what trees are protected
In an effort to protect the city’s trees, Beaverton requires private developers and contractors to submit a tree protection plan with their permit application.
These plans outline how developers will compensate for the trees they will remove and how they will mitigate adverse effects on the environment, including soil erosion and water quality.
In addition, these plans specify which trees developers must ensure remain standing during construction. Developers may have to build structures to protect these trees or plant new ones as part of their compensation.
Beaverton’s Tree Protection Ordinance requires that any developer who removes five or more native mature trees greater than eight inches in diameter within an area of one acre must submit a tree protection plan.
Submit your proposal early!
Beaversons requires all construction projects to have a tree protection plan. This requirement is in place to ensure the safety of trees on the site and during construction.
Parcel surveys can be obtained by early scouting of the construction site, before project proposals are submitted. These surveys show where trees are located on the property and their sizes.
Early scouting and collection of data about trees on the site can help designers and builders plan their designs and operations accordingly. For example, knowing that there is a very large tree in the middle of the site will inform how to design the building to avoid damage to that tree.
Be aware that submitting your proposal late may result in no trees being saved, as construction must begin soon after approval.
Make sure you meet all the requirements
All municipalities have their own tree protection policies and requirements. You cannot assume that one policy applies to all areas.
In Beaverton, trees within the public right-of-way (street right-of-way, sidewalk and/or tree buffer) are an asset and consideration is given to removal of these trees due to hazards such as poor condition, nuisance roots or proximity to facilities or structures.
Beaverton requires a mitigation plan for any project that includes street and/or highway improvements, utility relocation or demolition activities where trees may be impacted. This includes small ornamental trees in front of residences as well as large mature trees in public parks.
To make sure your project meets all the requirements, contact the City of Beaverton’s Department of Planning & Development at dpd@beaverton.gov or phone (503) 597-5312 for more information.
Know what type of construction requires a tree protection plan
In some cases, a tree protection plan is required for construction projects. When this is the case, it is most often required when building a new structure or altering the structure of an existing one.
When construction involves digging into the ground or shifting or moving soil, trees can be harmed. This is more common with trees that are planted in the ground, but can also occur with those planted in pavement.
Tree protection plans outline how to construct safely around trees so that they survive and thrive after the construction is complete. More detail and clarity is given on how to protect each tree specifically depending on its species and root system type.
These plans are required because before widespread awareness of climate change and its effects, many structures were built directly above trees without concern for their health. Now, there are laws put into place to protect these vital parts of our environment.
Check out the locations of trees that will be protected
In addition to having a plan in place to protect existing trees, city officials encourage residents to check out the locations of the protected trees.
By looking at the tree protection plans on the city’s website, residents can see which trees will be protected and where they will be located. This is an important step in ensuring that new construction projects do not negatively impact the forest surrounding them.
Beaverton is one of the largest cities in Oregon, and many of its most notable landmarks consist of large forests and lush green spaces. As such, a large part of its identity is being “tree friendly” — protecting and encouraging growth of the forest surrounding it.
According to Bonney, approximately 1,700 new trees will be planted as part of this project — some in parks, some along streets — which will help make up for any trees that are lost.
