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DEC 18 1995 Boas 63 FAGS 90, TO: The Honorable Members DATE: December 9, 1985 FILE: of the Board of County Commissioners DIVISION HEAD CONCURRENCE: PROTECTION OF TREES ON SUBJECT: SINGLE—FAMILY LOTS Robert M. Xbia1ing,e%ACP Planning & Development Director FROM;Nrthur Challacombe REFERENCES: Tree Prot. Chief, Environmental Planning DIS:ARTCHA It is requested that the data herein presented be given formal consideration by the Board of County Commissioners at their regular meeting on December 18, 1985. DESCRIPTION AND CONDITIONS: Several weeks ago, the Board of County Commissioners raised the issue of extending the tree protection ordinance to include single family lots one acre or less in size. Currently, these size lots are exempt from the ordinance requirements. The only tree species protected on these lots are mangroves. ALTERNATIVES & ANALYSIS: Staff, in conducting its review of this issue, analyzed the degree of potential impact on single family units and reviewed the effectiveness of the County tree protection program as it now exists. The original intent of the tree protection ordinance was to control the number of mature trees being removed on large tracts of land. Prior to the adoption of the ordinance, developers would often completely clear these tracts prior to site plan approval and, in some instances, clear without any intent of obtaining site plan approval. When the tree protection ordinance was initially being deve- loped, the staff conducted numerous workshops with community organizations in attendance -r One of the topics of discussion at the workshops and subsequent public hearings was the issue of extending the tree protection requirements to single family lots. The outcome of these discussions was that the County staff, in its present capacity, could not adequately issue permits and enforce the ordinance with regard to the numerous single family lots within the County. The discussions also indicated that the vast majority of single family homeowners would protect as many trees as possible due to pride of owner- ship and increased property values. Potential Impacts & Benefits of Extending Protection Staff currently spends approximately fifteen hours per week on tree protection compliance and enforcement. This time is used to review site plans and subdivisions, make field inspections, issue permits, and sometimes prepare violation agenda items. If tree protection were extended to single-family lots, staff time devoted to processing applications would be increased by an additional twenty-six hours per week in order to accommodate the number of additional tree protection permit applications (approximately thirteen single-family building permits per week). This increase does not include additional hours likely to be spent on increased code enforcement.