Tamarac staff proposes changes to landscape and tree preservation rules, including broader Tree Trust Fund use

City of Tamarac Community Development staff on Monday presented proposed amendments to the city's Landscape and Tree Preservation provisions of the Land Development Code intended to clarify definitions, close enforcement gaps and expand use of the Tree Trust Fund.

Mahir Hounsault, Assistant Director of Community Development, said the city has enforced its tree and landscape requirements for more than two years and identified ambiguities that need tightening. "We learned a few things that we need to take care of," Mahir said, noting changes include explicit definitions for hazardous trees, nuisance trees, property owner and public right-of-way.

The proposed amendments would: consolidate tree-related definitions in one place; clarify that single-family homeowners generally do not need a removal permit for trees under 18 inches except where removal would reduce a property's tree count below code requirements; expand eligible uses of the Tree Trust Fund so funds may help single-family residents with tree removal or planting; and explicitly require property owners to maintain trees, roots and branches adjacent to public rights of way.

Hounsault said the changes were developed after reviewing other Florida municipalities and Broward County practice. He told the workshop the revisions also aim to reconcile the city's standards with state preemptions while maintaining protections the city finds necessary for single-family properties.

Staff recommended approval of the amendments; no formal vote was recorded at the workshop. The item will appear on the Aug. 27 City Commission agenda for first reading as an ordinance amendment to the Land Development Code.