Summary
To: Planning and Zoning Board Members
From: Ricky Allison, Director of Public Works and Recreation
Date: 8/31/2020
______________________________________________________________________
Subject:
Title
Review and revision of Town Tree Ordinance
Summary:
The Park and Tree Board has, for some time, shown interest in reviewing the current tree ordinance identified as Sec. 74-381 Division 2. Trees. Recent state legislation has overridden several parts of the existing code that pertain to the removal of hazardous trees. The attached proposal includes a review of our current code and a revision to include language that includes "Grand Trees" and a better definition of state legislation. Calvin, Giordano & Associates, Inc. have supplied a list of recommendations for the alteration of the existing code. The Board must decide if they would like to proceed with the recommendations listed in the preliminary report.
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Body
Previous Commission Action: N/A
Background/Problem Discussion: . Initially the Board was interested in adding language that would further protect trees identified as "Grand Trees" by the Board and Commission. During the initial discussion the State of Florida introduced HB 1159 that allowed the removal of hazardous trees on private property without the notification of the municipality. The bill became law in June 2019 and further discussion was needed to decide how the Town of Belleair tree ordinance could be revised to provide so clarification of language within the State law. The Public Works Department has asked for more language be provided to combat the effects of Florida Statute 163.045. We are awaiting a legal opinion from our attorney on the matter before proceeding with the consultant.
Expenditure Challenges The law has decreased money coming into the Town tree fund due to the reduction of tree permits required.
Financial Implications: Full review and revision of the ordinance would cost $8,000 as proposed by Calvin, Gi...
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