Hernando County has drafted a comprehensive revision of the Community Appearance Regulations for landscaping at new developments, tree preservation, land clearing, buffers, irrigation, invasive plants, fences and walls. Current regulations have been in effect for more than two decades and maintaining Hernando County’s rural, agricultural, and residential character has become more challenging.
Community Services Director Omar De Pablo presented the first reading of the ordinance at the County Commission hearing on Aug. 4. Several speakers supported the plan to strengthen tree protection, landscaping and screening requirements in response to new development. Some residents expressed concern that the ordinance did not go far enough, whereas Coastal Engineer’s Cliff Manuel said the proposed regulations would make development more complicated and costly. The county voted to hold a community town hall on August 20th to gather more community input. That session also included residents seeking stronger regulations.
Sierra Club Adventure Coast Group submitted comments on the plan on August 15th, noting that several sections addressed shared concerns regarding loss of habitat in Hernando County to development. “The ordinance can be a bridge to allow sustainable growth while preserving native habitat that supports healthy communities, clean air and biodiversity,” noted Chair DeeVon Quirolo. We also noted areas of concern, i.e., that “Planned Development Proposals approved by the County Commission can override the standards in the ordinance by granting deviations. Many in our community would like to see laws enforced fairly across the board to all applicants.”
The new ordinance provides Tree Preservation Clustering Credits in new developments to protect “specimen” trees measuring at least 18 inches and “majestic” trees measuring at least 36 inches and new residential lots up to 5,000 square feet would require at least two trees, while lots between 5,001 and 10,000 square feet would require three. Larger lots would require an additional tree for every additional 3,000 square feet. Developments would generally have to preserve at least 3% of existing natural vegetation. Developers can remove protected trees by planting replacements or paying into a new tree mitigation fund and certain residential tree removals and bona fide agricultural operations are exempted. The county would create a mitigation bank with proceeds dedicated to planting trees on other public property or acquiring tree-preservation easements. Sierra Club comments noted that “Establishing such a mitigation bank is a challenging endeavor and we would prefer to avoid the impacts on the original site by enforcing the landscape ordinance rules as provided herein without exception.”
Other rules address landscape buffers. Developers would post financial guarantees for required landscaping, while HOAs would be responsible for maintaining common landscaping, buffers and tree-preservation areas after construction. The rules apply to new development, not established homes. Sierra Club comments noted that “Every effort to save existing native habitat should be encouraged rather than clearing the land altogether and replanting with sod and lawn. It could save developers funds by allowing existing trees, bushes and ground cover and the wildlife that depends upon it to remain undisturbed around the developed areas.”
A final vote before the County Commission has not yet been scheduled.
New Tower Approved
for Linda Pedersen Park |
