01/22/2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • • strengthen tree protection measures To address this issue, staff: • established a `specimen tree' category that recognizes that larger trees deserve, and shall get, special protection, without the need for a formal designation by the BCC (i.e., reasonable efforts must be made to save these trees) • developed a clear statement that efforts are to be made to protect trees; • clarified that for projects other than a single-family home, a tree survey is required; • added language that, for saved trees, tree protection measures must be shown and must ensure that the trees to be saved will survive; and • developed the concept of a Critical Root Zone (CRZ). Based on staff research, the CRZ was defined as a radius from the center of the tree, calculated as 1.5 feet for every inch of diameter at breast height (dbh) of the tree. The calculation of the size of the CRZ has been refined as a result of issues raised at the Public Workshop (see below). By protecting specimen trees and the CRZ of all trees, the County has more assurance that significant trees will be preserved and will maintain viability in the future. • evaluate current penalties and enforcement To address this issue, staff: • added a flat $1,000 per tree penalty for protected trees (trees with a dbh of 4 inches up to and including 30 inches); and • added a flat $5,000 per tree penalty for specimen trees. It should be noted that Florida Statutes limits the maximum monetary penalty that can be assessed by a county or code enforcement board to $5,000 per event. One purpose of monetary penalties is to act as a deterrent. By increasing the penalty and making it a flat fee, as opposed to some range, it is staff's opinion that the deterrent effect will be increased. • provide onsite monitoring during land clearing and tree removal activities To address this issue, staff • concluded that having a staff member on site during tree removal and/or land clearing activities was impractical due to the large number of ongoing projects and limited staff. As an alternative, staff proposed that a Certified Arborist be required to be onsite during these activities. The cost of this would be borne by the developer and/or property owner. Having an arborist with project control authority onsite during land clearing and/or tree removal activities will help eliminate misunderstandings, miscommunication, and accidental tree removal. Summary of issues resulting from Public Workshop 1 he Public Workshop produced the following comments (Bold items are issues raised at the workshop; the infoi uiation following the issue is staffs response): • Ordinance needed clarified definition of Protected Trees regarding the size of individual tropical trees. Language was added that clarifies that individual trees within a erouo of tropical trees are protected regardless of the size of the individual tree. JANUARY 22, 2002 -29-