They fill out the part of the application for me (the parts that deal with the technical review), I fill out the rest and get all of the utility approvals, demo permits, tree permits, tax docs, etc. and submit it.

Unless you are a broke tree hugger who can't afford a home, It appears to be just another fad, like beards that will eventually die and fade away. 

The plan was to build a two family house, and to sell the units separately to owner occupants.The most obvious challenge with this lot were the two heritage trees (Pecan and Elm) growing in the yard.  

Well, in the fun stormy season in Florida, a tree fell on the house and damaged the roof. 

I don’t know about everyone else here, but I am sure glad I put each of my kids through swim lessons rather than give them a “how to swim website” before I took them to the beach and said have fun.From all of the advice given here, the only ones that I would give much credit to would be @Mary Mitchell and @Jay Hinrichs because each of them have fruit on the tree.  

I called lending tree and they put me in touch with quicken loans.

There are MAJOR differences between a bulk variance PB submission (simple side yard setback encroachment) and a full Site Plan approval where lots are being combined..... when the Town's checklist and engineer requires full drainage and stormwater design and calculations, tree identification (plans and on-site), full grading, etc, the fee can easily exceed $42,000.00.As an example, Im scheduled for a ZBA then PB (yes both in the NE), for the demolition of a 4500 sq. ft. house on an R-1 property to be replaced by a similar sized residence.

You could then tie a decision tree in to basically say something like .... if X happens at Y % then Z should follow.  

I would add that if there are large trees near the home, you may want to add a professional gutter cover like gutter helmet.

In future leases consider  providing  the boundaries to the rental property as being less then the full 18 acres so that notice is not required for what they are not "renting" especially if you are doing tree cutting etc.