Clarifications sought on county tree ordinance

Changes to Columbia County's tree ordinance have been proposed, but county officials still consider any revisions a work in progress.

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A subcommittee of the engineering advisory board was set up last year to study the tree ordinance and has been discussing it, said Mark Ivey, the chairman of the board and a partner of Ivey Residential.

"The real need is some clarification on when a developer is allowed to clear-cut a site," said county commission chairman Ron Cross.

In the past, disagreements arose because the division director was given discretion over the matter, Cross said.

"We're trying to add some definition to those areas that would meet the criteria to clear-cut," he said. "They (would) still have to go back and replant, according to the tree ordinance."

Ivey said a problem with the current tree ordinance is that it doesn't readily allow developers to clear and grade a residential lot before a final plat is drawn.

"We want the developer to be able to clear some of those trees and grade those lots," he said. "Then, once the lots are all graded ... he sells them to a builder."

Currently, builders grade lots purchased from a developer. Because multiple builders typically construct homes in a neighborhood, the result is a "hodgepodge" of grading styles, Ivey said.

Ivey said he would like to see the ordinance allow residential developers to grade lots before they're divided up on a plat.

"It doesn't change anything that's being done currently," he said of the revision. "It just allows them to be done in a different order."

The tree ordinance is just one part of the county's development standards that are being reviewed and revised, said the county's Development Services Division director, Richard Harmon.

"Once they're passed," he said, "the engineering committee will look at these ordinances, or the development standards, on an annual basis, not wait five, 10, 15, 20 years down the road to look at something."

The proposal would create a more efficient grading plan and be applied only when deemed necessary, said committee member and Pierwood Construction CEO Tom Werner.

"They're not going to force a developer to go in there and clear lots that don't need to be cleared," he said.

Certain requirements regarding tree specifications and buffers will not change, Cross said.

"We've got to maintain our landscape requirements and our tree ordinance, and we've got to have the replantings for the site to look good once it's finished," he said. "But I do understand their (developers') concern about some sites you just cannot work with on a piecemeal or partial basis."

The recent changes drafted by the committee don't hurt the county's aesthetics, nor do they affect commercial developments, Ivey said.

"These trees are being cut down after its platted anyway," Ivey said. "Why not allow them to be cut down before its platted, and that's going to save all the (construction traffic) on the road from the debris removal plus the dirt grading, and just makes for a better situation."

The revision also would help with storm water and drainage management, he said.

"I think we're always willing to look at an ordinance and improve it and eliminate confusion or clarify things, so it's probably an appropriate time to do that," said county Commissioner Ron Thigpen.

He said it could be anywhere from a few weeks to months before the ordinance may be finalized.

"There's some work yet to be done, but I'm hopeful and confident that we can come out with a more comprehensive plan that balances the needs of all folks," Thigpen said.