HomeMy WebLinkAboutAPPROVED VEG PERMIT - 5351 Tree Top Trail - 2105-0744
NOTICE OF
VEGETATION REMOVAL
PERMIT
THE APPLICANT SHALL KEEP THIS PERMIT POSTED ON-SITE AT ALL TIMES DURING LAND
CLEARING.
Permit#: 20210588 Fee: $85.00
Building Permit#: 2105-0744
Date Issued: 7/14/2021
Property Owner: Causley, Raymond & Ami Jo
Date Expires: Upon completion of work, or 7/14/2022, whichever occurs first.
Contractor: Higgins Brothers Construction, LLC – 772-342-2587
Parcel ID#: 1407-342-0035-000-7
Project Location: 5351 Tree Top Trail, Fort Pierce, FL
Property Size: 1.15 acres
Project Description: Applicant requests a permit for the removal of several slash pine trees measuring over
and under the 12” DBH mitigation threshold for construction of a new single family residence (Building Permit
#2105-0744). A certified gopher tortoise agent has identified two (2) gopher tortoise burrows along the
back property line. A 25’ buffer of native vegetation is required to keep the gopher tortoises on the
property. Silt fencing shall be installed around the perimeter of the construction site (25 ft. from the
gopher tortoise burrows) prior to the commencement of any clearing activities. All barricades shall be
in good repair throughout the construction activities or a stop work order will be issued.
Field Notes:
1. HABITAT:
a. Uplands: Vacant Residential lot
b. Wetlands: None observed by staff. Please note this does not constitute a state or federal
jurisdictional determination and all formal wetland delineations must be obtained from appropriate
state and/or federal agencies.
2. WILDLIFE: Two (2) gopher tortoises along the rear of the property. A 25’ buffer and barricades shall be
installed prior to clearing activities. Gopher tortoises are not to be trapped within the barricades.
3. SIGNIFICANT ARCHAEOLOGICAL OR HISTORIC FINDINGS: None Identified.
Permit #202103133 authorizes the following: According to St. Lucie County Land Development Regulations
(Chapter 6.00.04) this project qualifies for a Vegetation Removal Permit. The following vegetation has been
identified for removal:
1. Approximately sixteen (16) slash pine trees measuring
over the 12” DBH mitigation threshold (187” DBH)
2. Several trees measuring under the 12” DBH mitigation threshold
3. Saw palmettos and exotic vegetation
Specific Permit Conditions: The property has 197” DBH native slash pine trees not authorized for
removal. Areas outside of the development footprint shall be considered preservation/protection areas
(Land Development Code Section 6.00.05.A.2). A conspicuous protective barrier shall be placed and
maintained around the perimeter of protected area(s) of vegetation to form a continuous boundary as specified
in the General Conditions of Issuance section.
General Conditions of Issuance: The following minimum standards for vegetation protection shall be applied
to areas of vegetation designated to be preserved:
▪ At a minimum distance of either ten (10) feet from the edge of groups of protected vegetation or from
the radius of the dripline from all protected trees, whichever is greater;
▪ Protective barriers or protective designations shall remain in place until removal is authorized
by SLC ERD, or until issuance of a certificate of occupancy;
▪ In the event that any protective barriers are removed or altered and clearing activities are
conducted within an area identified for preserve, SLC ERD is authorized to direct that all land
clearing and site alteration work at the site be stopped until the barriers are restored and any
necessary corrective actions taken to repair or replant any vegetation removed or damaged as
a result of these encroachments.
• The preserve areas and tree preservation areas shall be maintained in their natural state, so as not to alter
the water and oxygen content of the soil and impair its function;
• A National Pollutant Discharge Elimination (NPDES) Permit, separate from this permit, may be required for
construction activities disturbing 1 acre or more. Please visit www.dep.state.fl.us/water/stormwater/npdes or
contact Jose Vega, St. Lucie County Stormwater Program Coordinator at 772-462-1668 for more information.
• No grade changes or excavation of any sort may be made within the barricaded areas;
• If any excavation or other activities are expected outside of the preserve area or dripline, the roots should
first be pruned (to the depth of required excavation) to sever them cleanly;
• If underground utilities must be routed through a protected root zone area, tunneling under the roots shall be
required;
• If irrigation must be installed, it shall be installed outside of the dripline of all preserve areas and protected
trees;
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT ANY NATIVE VEGETATION DESTROYED OR DAMAGED (187” DBH PRESERVED
SLASH PINE TREES) OUTSIDE OF THE LIMITS OF CLEARING DUE TO CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES OR FILL
PLACEMENT SHALL BE MITIGATED AT A RATIO OF 4:1 (4 INCHES OF REPLANTING FOR EACH INCH DESTROYED
OR DAMAGED).
Post Clearing Requirements:
1. Mitigation: Mitigation requirements are to be met through onsite preservation of nineteen (19)
slash pine trees in the rear of the property. During a site visit on 3/31/2021, ERD staff noted that
sufficient trees are identified for preservation, to meet and exceed the mitigation requirement.
2. Landscaping: The landscape requirements of one native tree per 2,500 square feet of property, up to a
maximum of 17 trees, must be met. As this property is 1.15 acres (acres X 43,560 = square feet of this
property) 50,094 square feet, (square feet/2,500 = trees), 17 trees (measuring 2.5” diameter at breast
height (DBH) & 12’ HT), or a total of 42.5 DBH of trees are required. Please note that landscaping
requirements are separate from, and in addition to, tree mitigation requirements.
PLEASE NOTE:
• THIS IS NOT AN AUTHORIZATION TO PLACE FILL ON OR RE-GRADE PROPERTY.
• PLEASE CONTACT A PROFESSIONAL SURVEYOR TO DETERMINE IF YOUR PROPERTY IS AFFECTED BY OR LIES WITHIN A
FLOODPLAIN.
• THE APPLICANT SHALL KEEP THIS EXEMPTION POSTED ON-SITE AT ALL TIMES DURING LAND CLEARING.
• THE PROPERTY OWNER AND/OR AGENT SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING ALL APPLICABLE STATE AND/OR FEDERAL
PERMITS.
_______________________
Lynn Swartzel, Environmental Regulations Specialist