Berkeley Lake amends tree ordinance

BERKELEY LAKE Berkeley Lakes tree ordinance has been amended, a move that provides tighter guidelines for tree preservation and replacement.

With the changes made Thursday, the ordinance provides for an increase in minimum tree density on individual properties, from 32 to 40 trees per acre. Property owners are also required to replace trees that are removed from their lots.

The amendment also establishes alternative compliance guidelines. Should a property owner not be able to comply with the new density guidelines, a fee may be paid to the citys Tree Replacement Fund, proceeds from which will be used to plant trees on public property.

The new tree removal permit fee is $50.

The July 30 moratorium on issuance of tree removal permits was lifted. For more information of specifics of the citys tree removal policy, visit http://www.berkeley-lake.com.

Council members also approved a citizen request for the city to pursue Community Wildlife Habitat certification from the National Wildlife Federation. The application fee for the certification is $75.

Movie production ordinance adopted

A city ordinance established to regulate activities involved with filming and movie production within city limits was adopted. With the recent filming of a breast cancer awareness ad on Lakeshore Drive, and the upcoming September filming of a scene for the film The Fifth Wave, City Administrator Tom Rozier explained that such an ordinance is necessary to protect citizens and property.

A special called council meeting was held Wednesday to present the proposed ordinance and place it on first read, paving the way for a second reading and adoption on Thursday.

The ordinance also established movie production permit fees, which categorizes projects as being either low impact or high impact.

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Berkeley Lake amends tree ordinance