It is declared that the public interest and welfare require that the City establish a program for the preservation of oak trees and significant trees in order to maintain the heritage and character of the City of Oakdale as well as preserve the beauty and identity of the community. Toward this purpose, this section establishes regulations for the installation, preservation, protection and selected removal of trees within the City limits. In establishing these procedures it is the City's intent to preserve and encourage the regeneration of a healthy urban forest that contributes to clean air, soil conservation, aesthetics, enhanced property values and a quality of life that will ensure that Oakdale will continue to be a desirable place to live.

This Section provides policies, regulations and specifications necessary to govern the preservation of oak trees and significant sized trees within the City and to control their removal. These provisions apply to new development, redevelopment and zoning changes that could result in development of land use intensities and development patterns that could impact existing oak trees and existing significant sized trees.

The policies and procedures contained in this section apply equally to private property and to projects being pursued by public agencies, including but not limited to the City of Oakdale. It shall be the City's policy to encourage other agencies to comply with these provisions even when the City does not have legal jurisdiction over the actions of that agency. In particular the City encourages Stanislaus County to adopt regulations to protect oak and significant trees within the City of Oakdale's Sphere of Influence. The County and landowners in the City's sphere are requested to consult with the City prior to proposed removal of these trees within the City Sphere of Influence.