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Commission OKs Taylor Ridge PD amendment changing tree mitigation, drops two lots for larger storm retention
Summary
City commission approved second reading amendment to Taylor Ridge Planned Development to reduce tree mitigation for deteriorating trees and expanded retention area, reducing the subdivision by two lots.
The City of DeLand on July 21 adopted an amendment to the Taylor Ridge Planned Development that alters tree-mitigation language for deteriorating trees and results in a plan change that reduces the subdivision from 65 lots to 63 lots to allow an expanded stormwater retention area.
Senior planner Kendall Story told commissioners the original Taylor Ridge PD (approved February 2024) applied the transitional residential development land use and required counting all trees 6 inches DBH (diameter at breast height) and larger in sample areas for mitigation. The applicant’s arborist reported a high prevalence of Laurel Oaks and other storm-damaged, structurally weakened trees on the site.
Under the amendment the city will allow reduced mitigation for non-specimen protected trees that an arborist and the city forester identify as ‘‘poor and unable to be restored to viability’’; the replacement obligation for those trees will be calculated at 10% of the DBH of removed trees. The PD continues to require mitigation for healthy specimen and historic trees per the land development code, Story said.
Story also told the commission that preliminary site review found the originally sized stormwater pond may be undersized; expanding the pond necessitated removing two approved lots from the concept plan. Staff concluded the amended PD remains consistent with the comprehensive plan and public services are available; staff recommended approval on second reading.
Commissioners had limited questions and sought confirmation that historic and specimen trees still require approval to remove; Story confirmed that such trees remain subject to city forester review and approval. The commission voted to adopt the ordinance on second and final reading.
The amended PD agreement presented for signature tonight included language requiring the city forester’s approval of the arborist designation for ‘‘poor’’ trees; the staff packet’s earlier draft omitted that phrase, Story said. The developer will submit the revised preliminary plot for staff review and the applicant will complete required mitigation and retain protections for healthy specimen trees.
