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• • Section 927.16. Tree Well Construction and Techniques. Change: This Section has been added, replacing the Critical Root Zone determination. Reason: There was considerable discussion about saving trees in areas where fill needs to be placed. The concern was that a tree could be protected from structural elements, but would still not survive due to fill being placed around the tree. Research indicates that trees can be saved, even on sites with significant fill, when tree wells are used. With substantial fill around a tree, these tree wells can be deep. Due to the potential deepness of some tree wells, safety concerns were mentioned as well as liability issues. Staff researched the matter and was able to find information on tree well construction. Using the construction techniques in the new ordinance section, there will be no area that is open. It is staff's position that, if the only impact to a protected or specimen tree is fill, the tree can be saved and a tree well installed in accordance with this section. Impact of proposed Ordinance revisions on the cost of Affordable Housing County Comprehensive Plan Policy 1.7 of the Housing Element requires that the Board of County Commissioners consider the effect of proposed LDR changes on housing costs. Such an analysis is provided below. There are several areas were the proposed LDR changes could increase costs for projects, including residential projects. These are as follows: 1. Tree survey requirements [Section 927.18(1)(d)J. Currently, a tree survey is required for all development where trees are to be removed; however, a slight increase in the cost of the survey will occur as a result of the new requirement to identify certain individual trees in the field [Section 927.18(1)(d)(4)]. In order to save more trees, redesign of a project may be required. This could result in an increase in design costs. 2. Impacts that occur within the Critical Root Zone (CRZ) of trees that are to be saved [Section 927.18(4)J. If pavement or certain in -ground impacts are to occur within the CRZ of a saved tree, specific construction and engineering techniques will be required to be used within the CRZ in order to reduce impacts on the tree. In such instances, there could be increased costs for design, engineering, and construction. 3. Tree Wells (Section 927.16]. If the only impact to a tree proposed to be saved tree is fill, then tree wells will be required The cost associated with a tree well is dependent on the CRZ of the tree to be saved and the amount of fill necessary. Where tree wells are required, there will likely be an increase in construction costs. 4. Certified Arborist or Performance Guarantee. As originally drafted, the proposed Ordinance would have required either a Certified Arborist on-site (to be paid for by the developer/applicant) or a Perfoiinance Guarantee (bond) posted by the developer for each tree to be saved. Either of these two options could result in significant cost increases for housing projects. This requirement has been removed by staff in the proposed ordinance now under consideration. If the ordinance is adopted as proposed, this item will not increase housing costs. It is staffs opinion that, while the proposed revisions to the Ordinance will likely result in some increases in the cost of residential projects, these costs should not be significant and should not result in project density reductions. July 9, 2002 41 i