[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6088735,"mediaKeyId","2879781-ccff0b7d7fd861f19b76dd43153b1f20","parentId",2879781,"title","Commissioners debate tree-preservation enforcement and higher fines; staff outlines mitigation and reinspection steps","audioSeconds",281,"startMs",1442000,"endMs",1723000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2879781-ccff0b7d7fd861f19b76dd43153b1f20&start=1442&end=1723","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2879781-ccff0b7d7fd861f19b76dd43153b1f20/thumbnail_1442000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6088735/Citrus-County/Florida/Commissioners-debate-tree-preservation-enforcement-and-higher-fines-staff-outlines-mitigation-and-reinspection-steps","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088735-efe8c2786065a01c27d4075e3759e8d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771105195&Signature=cyM9alZtrN1ainJhE0fBoIr6YuwIoyN8geap7QiRJos9sx2qCfaYaTEGHtmO4sd4jWA6VS~4uJc4PF6NcViyUeGpJHVifqlgHrFow24eNDUbzmWhb13RXaQGpd5fTSn4H7gCi5T0KRAKaZ3aseNYjJK3Dxcd9Im1uK3wVncwzhkGNY6~a6MbdbikHGnkp5B6lobYpMmMfcLTCJCRx436lFTZAhSQUazGIuL0Ev9aKflV2QNktWM~MBxy-dYhm8nqN64kIHEQtotiQQoytWiaRD4r42WUaFK3SUxBQlMw4maFMZGzDOdQxwIbFzf1sA5xdmMF8nueUtoCa0NZbX2Vxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Citrus County, FL","date","2025-04-04T01:31:47Z","article","Commissioners and planning staff on April 17 discussed recent amendments to Citrus County’s tree-preservation rules, enforcement tools and mitigation requirements after commissioners raised concerns about clear-cutting at recent development sites.

A commissioner asked why a recently cleared site at the Crystal Oaks development had been allowed to remove large trees; planning staff explained the project’s improvement plans were finalized before the revised tree-preservation code took effect, and grading and clear cutting had been authorized under those prior approvals. Staff said the new tree-preservation language will prevent similar clear-cutting for future projects unless work is required for approved construction or infrastructure.

Staff described enforcement and mitigation changes: fines assessed by the special magistrate can be up to $10,000 per parcel and collected fines can be directed to the Beautify Citrus campaign, which funds landscaping in public spaces. Planning staff said the county has \"upped the ante\" on fines and is using tools such as aerial imagery (appraiser pictometry and street view) to document past tree cover and support enforcement decisions. Officials said mitigation for removed specimen trees will be satisfied by reforestation in public open space, common areas or rights-of-way rather than requiring landowners to replant in private yards, to ensure survivability of replacement trees.

Staff also said the county will increase follow-up inspections after construction: in addition to inspections at certificate-of-occupancy (CO) time, the county will perform re-inspections to verify required landscaping and tree mitigation remain in place. Planning staff said the county’s ability to enforce tree-preservation rules is limited by state statute: most enforcement actions must begin with a formal complaint, and staff said they still rely on neighbors or others to file complaints in many cases. The county emphasized it will pursue violations when a complainant is willing to be identified.

Commissioners expressed frustration that property owners who self-report may avoid fines while others are penalized only if a neighbor files a complaint. Staff acknowledged the statutory limit and said the county is trying to improve detection and post-construction verification to reduce unreported violations.

No formal vote was taken on enforcement policy changes during the meeting; staff indicated several administrative actions and amended procedures are already in place.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning and Development Commission - April 03, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Citrus County planning staff described recent changes to enforcement and mitigation for tree preservation, including higher fines up to $10,000, using mitigation in public spaces and new reinspection practices; commissioners and staff discussed limits imposed by state statute that require a complaint for code enforcement action.","taxTitle","Citrus County, Florida","taxId",12756,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6088738,"Citrus County PDC approves accessory dwelling on 44-acre parcel with 2,500-sq.-ft. cap",781,597000,1378000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2879781-ccff0b7d7fd861f19b76dd43153b1f20&start=597&end=1378","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2879781-ccff0b7d7fd861f19b76dd43153b1f20/thumbnail_597000.jpg","/articles/6088738/Citrus-County/Florida/Citrus-County-PDC-approves-accessory-dwelling-on-44-acre-parcel-with-2500-sq-ft-cap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088738-5924ca287462a2d4f333407638d50cee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771105195&Signature=cFu6Va5zsvUnDxhtLBqnxjM3FZ9wNzFO6PJyVbStC4SogsGmQ7XUjTjqNZ32-Y1QNaqJW3VGdtL-QMtxzroDyMXFlWwZSnnogxQLG7OF3OWHIPlLfPMZdXpfSHt9n4jqjOc5J7pfpz~QtajmjNKIRrFExm~IvxCX5Da4bf0wyKskF~insgbZKa27N74oi-xQKRkP3VYJZEzMotjNtLiLVsrf2wPQYwIGE4t8b21B7EEm6O7Z6DPTKGeNc-1seyJLLXO7xeHq5ZblpwiCC7xzN6xO54zf4QcmXd8IVr8J~4JxdkYYU5lel0e9WmHlTnotmarsk5tIfvBVMkUPw-jzEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Citrus County Planning and Development Commission on April 17 approved application CU-2025-1, a conditional-use request to allow an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on a parcel of 10 acres or more, with a condition limiting the ADU to no more than 2,500 square feet of living area.

The commission’s vote followed staff presentation and brief public comment from a neighboring resident. Melissa Morris, a county planner, told the board the application \"meets all of our comp plan LDC requirements and it is compatible with the surrounding area,\" and that the county’s recent Land Development Code revision authorizes larger ADUs on large parcels. Morris noted the applicant’s site plan and said the proposed ADU pad and the primary residence are shown on the plans; a rendering that included patios and garages was recorded at 2,052 square feet (that figure included non-living-area elements), while the applicant requested roughly 1,450 square feet of living area.

Applicant Robert Eden said the request was \"simply just asking for a variance to increase the size an accessory dwelling from 850 to 1,450\" so the applicant’s parents could live on the property with their son. During public comment, resident John Bucheister, who said he lives across the street from the site, asked whether the application was for one house or many and raised concerns about water and roadway capacity; commissioners and staff replied the application covered a single ADU on a 44-acre parcel.

Commission discussion focused on how to align the staff condition with the applicant’s request and with the Land Development Code. Staff explained the updated LDC allows up to 2,500 square feet of living area for parcels of 10 acres or more; the applicant’s testimony requested about 1,450 square feet. The commission amended the proposed condition to set an upper limit of \"not to exceed 2,500 in living area\" for this approval, noting that applicants who later propose a larger living area would need to return with revised plans.

Commissioner David Bramlett moved to approve, saying the commission found CU-2025-1 consistent with the Citrus County Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code and that approval with amended conditions would not adversely affect the public interest; Commissioner Jeanette Collins seconded. The motion passed on a 6-0 vote.

Votes at a glance: the board approved the minutes (see record) earlier in the meeting and later approved CU-2025-1 with conditions as amended; the conditional-use approval was moved by Commissioner David Bramlett and seconded by Commissioner Jeanette Collins, and the recorded tally was 6-0.

The commission’s approval includes the amended condition limiting the ADU’s living area to 2,500 square feet and other routine conditions in the staff report. The staff packet and site plans were entered into the public record. No variances to other development standards were recorded in the meeting minutes. The commission noted the parcel’s size and the recent LDC change as the reason larger ADUs are now being requested and permitted under conditional use rules.

The commission then moved to the next items on the agenda.","The Citrus County Planning and Development Commission approved a conditional use to allow an accessory dwelling on a 44-acre parcel, amending staff conditions to set a not-to-exceed living-area limit of 2,500 square feet; the permit followed staff findings of consistency with the county Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code.","actionData","errors"]

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Commissioners debate tree-preservation enforcement and higher fines; staff outlines mitigation and reinspection steps

Citrus County PDC approves accessory dwelling on 44-acre parcel with 2,500-sq.-ft. cap