(A) Retention.
(l) Forest retention is the primary goal of this chapter. Afforestation and reforestation shall be utilized only after techniques for retaining existing, on-site forest have been exhausted.
(2) Forest retention areas shall be no less than 35 feet wide and shall be at least 10,000 square feet in size. Areas not meeting this criteria must be adjacent to existing off-site forest, adjacent to a proposed afforestation or reforestation area, or shown as cleared.
(B) Afforestation.
(1) Except as provided in (2) below, the minimum forest threshold for any zone shall be 20%. Any net tract area which is comprised of less forest than the minimum threshold shall be afforested to achieve the minimum threshold.
(2) In areas zoned commercial or industrial, or institutional development areas, the minimum forest threshold shall be 15%.
(C) Reforestation.
(1) Forest which is cut or cleared, measured to the nearest one-tenth acre, shall be reforested at a ratio of one acre planted for every one acre of forest removed.
(D) Afforestation and reforestation plantings are prohibited on individual residential lots less than three acres in size.
(E) Whenever afforestation or reforestation is to occur off site, the applicant shall provide the county:
(1) A copy of the executed deed conveying title to the site;
(2) An executed conservation easement agreement;
(3) Written evidence of a landowner's consent to the use of a selected site; or
(4) Other written evidence of a possessory or ownership interest in a selected site.
(2004 Code, § 115-8) (Ord. 98-4, passed 11-18-1998; Ord. 02-03, passed 3-14-2002; Ord. 03-04, passed 1-30-2003; Ord. 04-05, passed 4-1-2004; Ord. 2011-03, passed 5-17-2011; Ord. 2022-11, passed 8-25-2022)