Fort Walton Beach Ordinance — 2177--Heritage Trees ‎(Postponed Indefinitely)‎ — reading text

documentation in accordance with the BMP. E. Preservation of Heritage Trees. 1. Heritage trees are protected in all zoning districts and for all land uses (including Single- family and two-family dwellings) and are considered natural resources. Removal of heritage trees may be allowed upon approval of a land site work permit. 2. For Single-family and two-family dwellings, the property owner may elect to pay into the city’s tree mitigation fund instead of replacement regardless of availability of space available on the property. a. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the mitigation cost to a residential property owner (single-family and two-family dwellings) shall not exceed 5,000.00 per heritage tree removed. Section 3. Applicability For the purposes of jurisdictional applicability, this ordinance shall apply in the City of Fort Walton Beach. This ordinance shall apply to all applications for development, including building permit applications and subdivision proposals, submitted on or after the effective date of this ordinance. Section 4. Inclusion into the Land Development Code It is the intent of the City Council that the provisions of this ordinance shall become and be made a part of the City of Fort Walton Beach’ s Land Development Code, and that the sections of this ordinance may be renumbered or re-lettered and the word “ ordinance” may be changed to section,” “ article,” “ regulation,” or such other appropriate word or phrase in order to accomplish such intentions. Section 5. Severability In the event any provision of this Ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, it is the intent of City Council that such invalidity shall not affect any other provisions of the Ordinance which may be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and, to this end, the provisions of this Ordinance are declared severable. Section 6. Findings The City Council of the City of Fort Walton Beach finds that the Local Planning Agency reviewed and recommended approval of the ordinance on March 6th, 2025. The City Council of the City of Fort Walton Beach finds that the proposed ordinance is consistent with the goals, objectives, and policies of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The City Council of the City of Fort Walton Beach finds that all notice requirements for enactment of the ordinance have been met in accordance with the Florida Statutes and the City’s Land Development Code. Section 7. Effective Date This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon approval on second reading by the City Council and signature of the Mayor. Adopted: ____________________________ Nic Allegretto, Mayor Attest: Approved as to legal form and sufficiency for the City of Fort Walton Beach, only. Kim M. Barnes, City Clerk Kimberly Romano Kopp, City Attorney Additions are underlined; deletions are stricken.