Prior to the commencement of any vegetation clearing or removal on any undeveloped property, the owner or the owner's agent must demonstrate exemption from the requirements of this section or submit the required application materials and applicable fees for a Tree Clearing Certificate.
(A) Upon receipt of documentation that a property is exempted from obtaining a Tree Clearing Certificate, the Planning Director shall review all materials and make a determination if a property is exempted from the requirements or if the requirements apply. In situations where exemption status is claimed based on forestry use, this documentation shall include proof that the property is taxed under the present-use value standard, or a copy of the valid forestry management plan prepared or approved by a North Carolina registered forester. The decision of the Planning Director may be appealed to the Zoning Board of Adjustment pursuant to Section 3.21.
(B) If a property is not exempted from the provisions pertaining to a Tree Clearing Certificate, then such application materials shall include a Vegetation Protection Plan consistent with the requirements listed in Section 14.5.5(B) above.
(C) The Vegetation Protection Plan shall be reviewed by the Planning Director based upon the provisions of 3.9 of this Ordinance.
(D) An applicant for a Tree Clearing Certificate shall be notified upon approval of the Vegetation Protection Plan and shall be free to erect or install any and all barriers necessary to protect existing vegetation within required buffer areas and vegetation protection areas from damage during tree clearing and/or removal activities. Failure to protect these areas shall result in penalties as indicated in Section 7.2.13, Maintenance Responsibility, Replacement of Damaged Vegetation, and Associated Fines.
(E) Once all barriers for the protection of existing vegetation have been installed, a property owner or agent shall request inspection of such barriers for compliance with the requirements of this Ordinance.
(F) Upon a passing inspection of vegetation protection barriers, the Director of Planning shall issue a Tree Clearing Certificate, and authorized vegetation clearing and/or removal may commence.