Backup Documents 01/23/2018 Item #11DLandscape Removal
&
Tree Preservation
Growth Management Department
January 23, 2018
Why Owners Remove Trees
Trees may become overgrown and unmanageable
Root Systems lift pavement and sidewalk areas
Root systems may damage utilities/infrastructure
Mature trees may reduce the site visibility
Current Process for Tree Removal
Commercial, Industrial, Residential Common Area
developments must pursue either:
Cultivated Tree Removal Permit;
Site Development Plan Amendment (SDPA);
Site Development Plan Insubstantial Change (SDPI); or
Insubstantial Change to Construction Plans (ICP)
Cultivated Tree Removal Permit
Administratively Reviewed
Maximum of 10 trees per 5 year period allowed to be removed
Applicants must demonstrate:
Tree cannot be maintained by proper canopy pruning;
Tree is not structurally sound and it cannot be corrected by cabling
or bracing;
Root Pruning or Root Barriers measures have been attempted; and
Tree has become a safety hazard to:
Pedestrian or vehicular traffic;
Utilities; or
Existing structures
Cultivated Tree Removal Permit
Conditions
If tree is transplanted:
Tree to be moved, established, and maintained using proper
arboricultural and horticultural practices
If tree is removed:
Tree shall be substituted with an equivalent replacement (if code
required); and
Sufficient space shall remain on site allowing replacements to
establish mature canopy spread
Landscape Plan Changes
Landscape Plans may be revised through the following:
Site Development Plan Amendment and Insubstantial Change (SDPA
& SDPI); and
Insubstantial Change to Subdivision Plat (ICP)
Administratively Reviewed
Landscape Plans are required to be signed and sealed by a Florida
registered landscape architect
Landscape Plan Changes
The LDC does not limit Landscape Plan changes to principal structure
redevelopment, or any other substantial improvements to structures
on site
Unlike Cultivated Tree Removal Permits:
Justification or tree/root maintenance issues are not required to
be demonstrated for plan approval
Public health and safety circumstances do not need to be present
to pursue a Landscape Plan change
There is no restriction on the number of trees, size of tree, or
type of tree that can be removed
Under all circumstances, the revised Landscape Plans are required to
meet the minimum standards within the LDC
Administrative Appeals Process
The Board of Zoning Appeals may hear:
Appeals from interpretations made by the County Manager or
designee pertaining to the Land Development Code
This includes the Cultivated Tree Removal Permit and Landscape
Plan Change under an SDPI, SPDA, or ICP.
Options for Tree Preservation or Public
Process
Establish Criteria for Landscape Plan changes, similarly to Cultivated
Tree Removal Permits (i.e.. Require justification related to health,
safety, and welfare)
Create a Tree Preservation Ordinance
Define which trees are preserved
Create list of tree removal criteria
Allow removal of a percentage of trees per year
Require replacement trees to be like-sized or of a greater
proportion or type
Ideas from Other Communities
Replacement of protected trees based on formula
Ex. Protected tree with trunk diameter of 30 inches, replaced with
eight (8) 3-inch DBH trees (City of Pensacola)
Require a tree appraisal to determine dollar value of removed tree for
equivalent replacement (Broward County)
Analyze where the LDC can identify more appropriate areas for tree
types
Canopy trees only allowed in parking lot islands with a width of 10
feet or more (Broward County)
Ideas from Other Communities
Prioritize trees over hardscape
Redesign structures or vehicular use areas rather than removing
trees (Guidelines for Development and Evaluating Tree
Ordinances)
Allow flexibility or alternative design standards for existing sites
Evaluate tree replacement standards based on existing canopy area
(Broward County)
Impact area of proposed project (Miami-Dade County)
References
Bernhardt, E. A., & Swiecki, T. J. (2001, October 31). Guidelines for
Development and Evaluating Tree Ordinances. Retrieved from International
Society of Arboriculture: http://www.isa-
arbor.com/education/resources/educ_TreeOrdinanceGuidelines.pdf