ARE WE CUTTING TOO MANY TREES?
Within the past few months, town officials have received several
inquiries whose gist is, "Has the town relaxed its standards concerning
tree removal and other means of maintaining the natural beauty of this
area?" The answer is an unqualified "No", as illustrated by the
following:
Q. Why are so many trees being removed from some of the lots
being prepared for home building?
A. The lots now being developed are generally smaller than most
of those previously developed and the house and drain field occupy a
proportionally larger fraction of the lot area. Also, some clearing is
frequently needed to allow access during the process of granting permits.
Q. Has there been a recent change in permitting procedures?
A. No.
Q. What are we doing to increase compliance with our ordinances
aimed at preserving natural beauty?
A. First, the town has recently enacted a new civil ordinance
specifying a penalty of $100 per tree, or more, for unauthorized removal
of trees greater than 3" in diameter measured at a point 3 1/2 feet above
the base. A marked reduction in violations has been obseirved.
Second, the Community Appearance Commission issued a new
booklet last year, entitled "Guidelines to Building and Gardening in Pine ^
Knoll Shores." It tells property owners what they need to know about
procedures and permits relevant to these subjects. Copies are available
at the Town Hall.
For your guidance, one of the following criteria must be met, as
determined by the Building Inspector, before a permit for the requested
activity can be issued:
1. Protect a structure or improvement on the property;
2. Promote the growth and health of other more desirable
vegetation;
3. Improve the appearance and/or livability of the property,
without significantly destabilizing the soil thereon, or otherwise
damaging the ecology of the property;
4. Before pruning oceanfront vegetation, an application to the
town must be accompanied by a letter from a qualified professional
stating that pruning will be done in accordance with good practice, will
be supervised by a professional and will not permanently damage the
vegetation. (These rules are a summary of ordinances found in paragraph
21-3.5J of the Pine Knoll Shores Municipal Code.)
Lenora Roberson & Rich Soderberg,
Community Appearance Committee
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