The board has gotten recent clarification directly from Orange County that the requirements regarding these trees have not changed and our goal is to ensure all homeowners are up to date with accurate information. With that being said, these trees are a crucial part of our community’s landscaping and contribute to the overall aesthetics, walkability, and environmental quality of our neighborhood. While the trees are a requirement, it is important to note that it is the responsibility of the homeowner to maintain and replace the trees if needed due to damage, disease, or other factors. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory and ensures that our streets remain well-maintained and visually appealing.
As per the county’s regulations for Horizon West, Section 38-1384(c) of the County Code, street trees must be planted along both sides of all streets. The key requirements include:
- County Permit: The owner will need to submit both a tree removal permit and a right-of-way utilization permit to facilitate this process.
- Planting Location: Trees should be placed in planter strips between the curb and sidewalk.
- Spacing: Trees must be planted at an average maximum of 40 feet on center.
- Tree Selection: Street trees must be canopy trees chosen from the county’s approved list from Chapter 24 (Sec. 24-12. – Recommended, replacement, and restricted trees).
- Size and Quality: All street trees must be Florida Grade #1, with a minimum caliper of 3 inches and a clear trunk of 6 feet at the time of planting.
- Irrigation: Planter strips must be irrigated by the abutting property owner, with reclaimed water used when available.
In addition to the county’s requirements, please be reminded that tree removal and replacement must be approved through the Architectural Review Committee (ARC). This is a necessary step to ensure that all modifications align with the aesthetic guidelines and standards of our community. Before proceeding with any tree removal or planting, please submit the required plans to the ARC for approval.
We would also like to take this opportunity to remind all homeowners that any exterior modifications to your home must be submitted for approval to the ARC. Whether you are planning to replace a tree, install new landscaping, add structures, or make any other changes to the exterior of your home, it is important that these modifications are reviewed and approved by the ARC to maintain the visual harmony of our neighborhood.
The Board understands that the replacement of street trees is not a simple task, and it may take some time and effort to meet these requirements. Therefore, the HOA Board is granting a 6-month grace period from the date of this notice to allow all homeowners sufficient time to comply with these regulations. During this period, the HOA will work with homeowners to provide any clarification needed to ensure compliance.
However, please be aware that the County can conduct inspections separately and may issue fines of up to $500 for non-compliance during this time. The HOA strongly encourages you to address this matter promptly to avoid any potential fines from the County.
The ARC Tracker, Architectural Guidelines, Don Asher Portal, and HOA Covenants are all available in the Quick Links on the home page. Below is a spreadsheet of the list of recommended canopy trees from the county, highlighted in green are ones that will likely be among the cleanest options. Please note that it is up to the homeowner to work with their landscaper/nursery to verify accuracy and verify that roots will not impact their homes.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HOA Board at BoardOfDirectors@lathamparkhoa.com or the Management Company at Laura@DonAsher.com. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our community beautiful and in compliance with both HOA and County regulations.