To The Editor:

Having read your article P&Z Considers Permits to Cut Down “Mature” Trees, in addition to having to obtain a zoning permit, one would be prohibited from cutting down “mature” trees in property setbacks including if any part of the trunk is within these setback.

The definition of a mature tree is one having a width of 12″ at a height of 4.5 feet from the ground. For a typical 1/2 acre lot, (i.e., 125 ft x 175 ft, which has a 30-foot front setback, two 25-foot sides and one 25-foot rear setback) you would be prohibited from cutting any and all “mature” trees in these areas. This represents about 60% of the lot area. On smaller or irregular lots that percentage could be much higher.

Thankfully, if the tree is “dangerous” in certain drafts of this ordinance and in discussions, you can remove it, but the total caliper width of the tree must be replaced. So if you removed a dangerous 36-inch caliper tree, you would have to replace it with 12 3-inch trees, Costs to do this would include survey to locate all mature trees on your property, $2,000, zoning fee ???, licensed arbor report  to show the tree is dangerous $1,000, tree removal $3,500, replacement trees $1,000 each installed, fertilized etc. ($12,000), bond to ensure the new trees survive 1 year ???, replacement of trees that do not survive ???.

Thus, total costs under the new regulations would be $20,000+ vs. $3,500 under the present just to remove one dangerous tree.

Imagine if you have more than one.

Rob Haroun / President — SIR Development, LLC