PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — Calvert County will allow developer and investor TLP Asset Holdings to remove a specimen tree on the property at 5142 Cutter Ave. in Prince Frederick.
TLP and its representative, Dan Kelsh of the civil engineering, surveying, and land planning firm COA Barrett, argued that the land couldn’t be developed without removing the tree. The tree, a 35.5-inch northern red oak, sits in the middle of the property.
The county Board of Appeals agreed with the landowner that removing the tree would not damage the land or water systems, and would not harm the public.
The tree was discovered during the surveying process, and TLP applied for a forest conservation variance to allow them to remove the tree. County laws state that specimen or “monument trees” cannot be removed to develop land unless an exemption is granted.
Monument trees are defined by the county as having one or more of the following qualities:
- A national, state, or local champion tree
- A tree having a diameter of at least 24 inches (measured at 4.5 feet above the ground)
- A tree having a diameter that is at least 75% of the diameter of the current state champion of that species (measured at 4.5 feet above the ground)
Kelsh noted the importance of flex business space for Calvert entrepreneurs who were “working out of their homes or basements.”
The board agreed and passed a unanimous motion to allow the removal of the tree, along with the payment of an unspecified fee.
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Sounds pretty dumb. But hey let’s keep negatively affecting the climate.
That company said “Fuq trees!”
Unspecified fee? Why have rules if you’re just going to grant a unanimous exception…
Would an individual simply trying to build a house on property they bought/ owned enjoy the same outcome?
How much do you want to bet if that was an individual and not a developer, permission would have not been granted?
What a wonderful ‘Tree Hugger’ county law!
What happened to ‘my property, my tree’?
why pay a fee to remove the tree?? it would be better tp plant and care for 2 or 3 red oak trees!