Broward County Commission Regular Meeting

MOTION TO DIRECT Office of the County Attorney to draft an Ordinance providing for the regulation of trees planted and maintained near power lines in unincorporated Broward County, and to coordinate with counsel for the Broward League of Cities in an effort to achieve, to the greatest extent practicable, a countywide regulatory approach. (Commissioner Sharief)

ACTION:  (T-10:26 AM)  Approved.
 
VOTE: 8-0.  Vice-Mayor Bogen was not present.

Pursuant to Section 18.5(e) of the Broward County Administrative Code, the subject matter of a proposed Ordinance must be considered by the Board prior to the drafting of the proposed Ordinance.

Provides required direction to the Office of the County Attorney.

On September 26, 2017, the Board of County Commissioners ("Board") directed the Office of the County Attorney to research available mechanisms through which the County may encourage or require property owners to (1) refrain from planting trees or other foliage in locations on their property that may foreseeably cause foliage-related power outages in storm events, (2) maintain trees and other foliage on their property so as to minimize or avoid such foliage-related power outages, and (3) allow FP&L to enter their properties, as necessary, to cut trees and other foliage to reduce the risk of such power outages. A copy of the responsive memorandum is attached hereto as Exhibit 1 ("County Attorney Memorandum").

The proposed amendment would provide the Office of the County Attorney with direction to draft an Ordinance consistent with the County Attorney Memorandum, and to coordinate with counsel for the Broward League of Cities in an effort to achieve, to the greatest extent practicable, a countywide regulatory approach.