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Pasco staff withdraw proposed tree-preservation ordinance after commission criticism; will amend fee resolution and hold workshops
Summary
Planning staff proposed an update to the county's tree-preservation code that tightened permit exemptions, clarified survey requirements and raised mitigation fees; commissioners and industry representatives criticized its effectiveness and staff withdrew the ordinance to pursue a fee-resolution update and a stakeholder workshop.
Pasco County planning staff presented a proposed update to the county's tree-preservation ordinance that would have tightened exemptions, clarified survey and inventory requirements, and increased tree-mitigation fees and in-lieu payments; after extended public and commissioner debate staff withdrew the ordinance to pursue a separate fee-resolution update and a stakeholder workshop.
Planner Patrick Dutta outlined the package's major changes: removal of exemptions that previously permitted tree removal for fences or for creation of surveys without a permit; clarification that a tree-removal permit is required for trees of 5-inch DBH or greater except where state statute allows removal with an arborist risk letter; tighter tree-survey and inventory…
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