State legislators representing The Villages voted in favor of a controversial tree removal bill that could endanger the aesthetics of communities like Florida’s Friendliest Hometown.
That particular piece of legislation is on the desk of Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has given no indication as to whether he will sign or veto it.
The bill would remove local control over tree removal. Currently, Villagers are required to obtain Architectural Review Committee approval prior to tree removal. In Lady Lake, residents must obtain a tree removal permit. Villagers who live within the boundaries of Lady Lake must obtain both ARC approval and a tree removal permit from the town.
But if the tree removal bill wins approval, residents would only have to persuade a certified arborist to determine the tree is a “danger to persons or property,” according to a memo prepared by District Counsel Valerie Fuchs.
Not only is the loss of trees concerning, but so are the unsightly trunks and stumps that could be left behind.
Community Development District 5 Supervisor Jerry Knoll said local legislators should have reached out to officials in The Villages to gain an understanding of the community’s unique concerns in this matter.
“Personally, or individually, it did not happen,” said Knoll, a resident of the Village of Belvedere.
Fuchs said that it appears that at least for a while the bill carried the language “does not apply to deed-restricted communities.” But at some point, that language was dropped.
The bill was passed by the House on April 25. State Rep. Brett Hage, a Republican and a T&D Distribution official elected last year to represent The Villages, voted in favor of the bill. You can see the tally sheet at this link:House vote on tree removal bill
The measure passed the Senate the following day, by a vote of 22-16. State Sen. Dennis Baxley, R-Lady Lake, voted in favor of it. You can see the Senate tally sheet at this link: Senate vote on tree removal bill
Here is the language of the bill:
Private Property Rights; Prohibits local governments from requiring notices, applications, approvals, permits, fees, or mitigation for pruning, trimming, or removal of trees on residential property if property owner obtains specified documentation; prohibits local governments from requiring property owners to replant such trees; provides exception for mangrove protection actions; deletes provision that authorizes electric utilities to perform certain right-of-way tree maintenance only if property owner has received local government approval; creates Property Owner Bill of Rights; requires county property appraisers to provide specified information on their websites.
