LAND O’ LAKES — County commissioners unanimously approved updates to the county’s tree preservation ordinance July 15, raising fees developers must pay when removing trees for construction projects.
The five-member board voted to amend Section 802 — the county’s Tree Mitigation Fund ordinance — which governs tree preservation and removal countywide. Commissioners discussed the changes at length before approving the resolution.
The ordinance, in place for more than 20 years, now requires developers to pay $75 per inch of trunk diameter when removing trees, up from the previous $50 per inch. For Heritage Trees — defined as live oaks 34 inches or larger in diameter or Southern magnolias 24 inches or larger — the fee increases to $150 per inch…