Neptune Beach |
Code of Ordinances |
Part II. CODE OF ORDINANCES |
Chapter 27. UNIFIED LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS |
Article IX. TREE PROTECTION AND LANDSCAPING |
§ 27-446. Permit application procedures.
The following procedures shall be followed and shall govern the granting of arbor permits pursuant to this section:
(1)
Application. Permits for removal, relocation or alteration of trees shall be obtained by making application in a form prescribed by the city council to the following appropriate public bodies:
a.
Subdivision development. For subdivision development, the application for development approval shall address tree removal and preservation. Generally, the developer shall only remove those trees that will hamper the installation of the improvement. To ensure that this limitation is not exceeded, the city council may require, during the subdivision approval process that the subdivider provide plans, aerial photographs or other data sufficient to allow an accurate determination to be made. The city council shall have final authority over the approval or denial of applications for permits in such instances. Staff evaluation of the appropriateness of the application will be included in their recommendation to the city council, and approval of the final plan shall constitute approval to issue the arbor permit.
b.
Street trees. In addition, the subdivider shall be required to plant street trees from the shade tree portion of the city's tree list, located in section 27-450, within five (5) feet of the right-of-way of each street constructed within the subdivision or parallel or adjacent to a public utility easement, whichever is appropriate. One (1) such tree shall be planted for every one hundred fifty (150) linear feet of street right-of-way. Where property on one (1) side of the right-of-way is not owned by the subdivider, such trees shall be planted alternately on either side of the street. Such trees shall be no closer together than one hundred twenty (120) feet.
c.
Other development. A separate arbor permit will not be required for any development which requires site plan approval by the community development board or the city council. Tree removal or relocation will be reviewed and approved or denied as part of the development review process. Once a certificate of occupancy is issued, any tree removal or relocation will be subject to the regulations of section 27-445. Staff evaluation of appropriateness of the application will be included in their recommendation to the community development board, and approval of the site plan shall constitute approval to issue the arbor permit.
d.
For removal or relocation of regulated trees not associated with a site plan approval of the community development board, an application shall be filed with the city manager's office, as described below.
e.
For pruning of eight-inch or larger diameter limbs on regulated trees, an arbor permit will be required. This provision relates to pruning or alteration only, and applies to any development.
(2)
Submittals. No permit fee shall be charged for authorized tree removal within the city. Each application for an arbor permit to alter, remove, relocate, or replace trees covered herein shall be accompanied by a written statement indicating the reasons for the requested action and two (2) copies of a legible site plan drawn to the largest practical scale indicating the following:
a.
Location, species and size of regulated trees that are being proposed for removal. Size of tree shall be measured per section 27-445.
b.
Location of all existing or proposed structures, improvements, and site uses, properly dimensioned in reference to property lines, setback and yard requirements in spatial relationship.
c.
Proposed changes, if any, in site elevations, grades and major contours.
d.
Location of existing or proposed utility service.
e.
Applications involving developed properties may be based on drawings showing only that portion of the site directly involved and adjacent structures and vegetation.
f.
For trees that are to be saved or retained, each application should contain a statement of how these tree areas are to be protected during construction and landscape operations.
g.
A statement that identifies replacement trees for any trees removed. Each tree being removed shall be replaced with two (2) replacement trees per the requirements of section 27-447.
h.
Application review and permit issue. Upon receipt of proper application, the city manager or designee shall review the application, and grant or deny the permit within five (5) working days of filing. This may include a field check of the site and referral of the application for recommendations to other appropriate administrative departments or agencies.
(3)
Permit form. Permits shall be issued by the city manager and may set forth in detail the conditions upon which the permit is granted. One (1) permit may cover several trees or groups of trees for one (1) parcel of land, or for multiple, contiguous parcels.
(Ord. No. 2004-10, § 1, 10-4-04; Ord. No. 2006-02, § 2, 3-6-06; Ord. No. 2010-14, § 41, 9-7-10)