The Belleview City Commission directed staff last week to move forward with drafting a proposed ordinance that would allow developers, in certain cases, to pay the city instead of planting required trees on a development site. The direction was given during the Dec. 16 City Commission meeting as part of a Development Services update. If adopted, the ordinance would formally establish a Tree Replacement Fund that developers could pay into when on-site tree replacement requirements cannot be met.
Under the proposed framework, tree installation would remain the default expectation. The payment option would be available after review and approval by Site Plan Technical Review staff, when staff determines that tree requirements cannot reasonably be satisfied on the property. Approved payments would be required before a certificate of occupancy is issued.
Money collected through the Tree Replacement Fund would be used by the city to plant, replace, and maintain trees on city-owned property, with priority given to parks, public lands, and rights of way. The Public Works Director would identify where trees are needed, while the City Commission would retain final approval over how the funds are spent.
The draft ordinance also establishes a valuation system based on tree size. Proposed contribution amounts range from $1,000 for protected trees over six inches in diameter, $2,000 for trees larger than 12 inches, and $5,000 for trees larger than 24 inches. Developers would also have the option to plant multiple smaller trees, with city approval, to make up for diameter shortfalls instead of paying into the fund.
The Tree Replacement Fund would be maintained as a separate account from the city’s general revenue and would exist from year to year unless formally terminated by the commission. Funds could only be used for tree planting, vegetation restoration, tree preservation efforts, and related maintenance. The public would also be permitted to donate to the fund.
