§ 282-3. Definitions.

Terms not specifically defined in this chapter shall have the conventional meaning. The following words and phrases shall be defined as follows:

BASAL AREA

The cross-sectional area of a tree trunk measured at 4 1/2 feet above the existing grade.

BUILDING ENVELOPE

The area of the lot where a building may legally be constructed. The building envelope is defined by the required front yard, rear yard and side yard setbacks.

BUILDING FOOTPRINT

The area enclosed or to be enclosed by the exterior walls of a building.

CONSTRUCTION ZONES

The exact size and placement of construction zones will be determined by the Planning Commission or the Department of Community Development during the permit process, but will include, at a minimum, the following areas:

A. 

The building footprint(s) plus a maximum surrounding 25 feet and a twenty-foot-wide utility driveway access for all principal building(s) on the property. These areas shall total no more than 1/3 of the minimum lot or parcel size defined in the underlying residential zoning. This fraction is increased to 2/3 in R-1-C zoning.

B. 

Road rights-of-way, utility easements and areas as identified in Subsection C.

C. 

Designated areas that must incur regulated tree losses due to engineering requirements such as infrastructure, but not limited to utilities, swales, site grading, or other regulatory requirements.

D. 

Designated areas defined in a building permit that must incur regulated tree losses due to construction of secondary structures.

E. 

For commercial, industrial and special land use developments, the area necessary to provide the minimum number of parking spaces required by other ordinances.

DIAMETER BREAST HEIGHT (dbh)

The diameter in inches of a tree measured at 4 1/2 feet above the existing grade.

DRIP LINE

An imaginary vertical line which extends downward from the outermost tips of the tree branches to the ground.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES TRUST FUND

A fund to be exclusively used for activities associated with the acquisition of woodland systems, land acquisition for reforesting, or planting of woodland systems and natural corridors.

GRUBBING

The removal of understory vegetation, groundcover, shrubs or trees on any area greater than 10,000 square feet. In those instances when grubbing is permitted, it shall not include the removal of any trees with a dbh of greater than six inches.

HERITAGE TREE

A heritage tree shall include any tree known to have significance because of its size, location, and/or memorial or historic value as designated by the Township or the state, not excluding other cognizant authorities. The Natural Resources Committee or others as designated by Board is responsible for providing a list and map of such trees to the Township for Board approval.

IMPACT

The effect of operations on any area.

LAND CLEARING

Those operations where trees and vegetation are removed. Operations may include locating, constructing, placing, inserting or excavating materials such as soil, sand, gravel, clay, peat, mud, debris or refuse.

MICHIGAN BIG TREE

Swamp white oak, Honeylocust, Downy Hawthorn, and all others registered by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

NATURAL CORRIDOR TREE

Any tree which is located within a natural corridor identified on the Township Natural Corridor Map and described by the Grosse Ile Natural Corridor Description.

OPERATIONS

The locating, moving or depositing of any material, or any construction use or activity, or a combination thereof, which in any way modifies the condition of land subject to this chapter.

OWNER

Any person who has dominion over, control of, or title to any land in the Township.

PERSON

Any individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, organization or legal entity of any kind, including governmental agencies conducting operations within the Township, and all tree removal companies and persons removing trees on behalf of self or others.

PROTECTED AREA

Area between the trunk of a regulated tree, extending to the dripline of the tree canopy.

PROTECTED TREE

Any tree of six-inch dbh or greater.

PROTECTIVE BARRIER

A physical structure limiting access to a protected area composed of tape or other suitable materials which ensures compliance with the intent of this chapter.

REGULATED TREE(S)

Protected trees and heritage trees.

REMOVAL or REMOVE

The cutting, injury and/or destruction of trees or any form of vegetation by any method on any lands subject to this chapter.

STRUCTURE

Any assembly of materials above or below the surface of the land or water including, but not limited to, houses, buildings, bulkheads, piers, docks, landings, dams, waterway obstructions, towers and utilities

TRANSPLANT

The digging up of a tree from one place on a property and the planting of the same tree in another place on the same property or off-site property approved by the Township.

TREE

A woody plant with an erect perennial trunk which at maturity is 13 feet or more in height and which has a more or less definite crown of foliage.

TREE SURVEY

Registered survey which includes the identification of regulated trees with a permanent tag or marker, a corresponding list of common name and species, tree size and the location of all regulated trees on a topographic plan drawing.

TREE WELL

A structure constructed of masonry, wood, metal or other material approved by the Township that serves to protect the trunk and roots of a tree from being covered by soil or other material. A tree well must be constructed so as not to create a safety hazard..

WOODLAND

A forested area of 1/2 acre or more with a gross basal area of 30 square feet per 1/2 acre and containing a minimum of 20 trees per 1/2 acre greater than six inches in dbh. The dripline of the trees define the area of the woodland.