HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission Workshop on City Code Chapter 23 (Protection of Trees and the Natural Environment) - Agenda - Pdf
City of Atlantic Beach
Agenda
Commission Workshop
Monday, March 2, 2026 - 7:00 p.m.
City Hall, Commission Chamber
800 Seminole Road, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
Page(s)
CALL TO ORDER
TOPIC: TREE PROTECTION CODE (CHAPTER 23)
1.
Overview of Workshop Purpose - Mayor Ford
2.
Staff Overview
AB Code Chapter 23 (Link)
Chapter 23 Tree related topics - High Level Overview
3 - 4
3.
Commission Discussion
ADJOURNMENT
This meeting will be live-streamed and videotaped. The video recording will be posted within
four business days on the City's website. To access live or recorded videos, visit
www.coab.us/live.
Any person wishing to speak to the City Commission on any matter at this meeting should
submit a request to the City Clerk. For your convenience, forms for this purpose are available
at the entrance to the Commission Chamber.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 286.26, Florida Statutes,
persons with disabilities needing special accommodation to participate in this meeting should
contact the City Clerk’s Office at (904) 247-5821 or at City Hall, 800 Seminole Road, Atlantic
Beach, FL 32233, no later than 5:00 PM on the Thursday prior to the meeting.
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Page 2 of 4
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Cha ter 23 Tree related to ics —
Existing Code:
AREAS OF CONCERN/IMPROVEMENT
1.
Permit
Required
Replacement
Ratios
Higer
Mitigation
Goal
Tree
Preservation
Credit
Oaks
Oak
Replacement
Sizes
Other Tree
Replacement
Sizes
Mitigation
Location
Palms
Removal
w/out Permit
Maintenance
Period
Use of Tree
Fund
Permit required for removal of trees over 8”in DBH (unless
invasive)
Replacement ratios are based on the type of development and size
of the tree
Higher mitigation for new development is intended to discourage
clear-cutting and encourage tree preservation.
Preserving trees over 14”DBH reduces required mitigation inches
by 25%,up to 50%or 40 inches max reduction.For example,if one
hundred (100)inches of mitigation is required and one (1),twenty-inch DBH live
oak tree is preserved on-site the required mitigation would be reduced by
twenty-five (25)percent to seventy-five (75)total inches of mitigation required.
Removed oaks must be replaced with oak trees
Oaks have a min.4”caliper and 12ft height replacement
requirement
Replace trees (other than Oaks and Palms)have a min.2”caliper
and 10ft height at time of installation
Mitigation trees planted on site,neighbors property or payment
into tree fund
Palms only mitigate for palms
Double mitigation required for trees removed without permit
Mitigation trees maintained for 3 years
Mitigation funds can only be used for tree related matters
tr nked'
Sec.23-21
Sec.23-33
Sec.23-33(d)
Sec.23-
33(2)(a)
Sec.23-
33(f)(1)(a)
Sec.23-33
(f)(1)(b)
Sec.23-33
Sec.23-
33(2)(b)
Sec.23-51
Sec.23-34(1)
Sec.23-14
State Preemption (F.S.163.045)—Under Florida Statute 163.045,trees deemed unsafe or a
danger to persons or property by a certified arborist may be removed without a permit or penalty,
limiting local regulatory authority.
Permit Threshold —Consider lowering the permit requirement threshold from 8”DBH to 6”DBH.
Root Zone Protection —Strengthen protections for tree root zones during construction activities
and within public spaces.
Large Tree Preservation —Enhance protections for mature and specimen trees.
incentives for Preservation Establish or expand incentives to encourage retention of large
trees.
Prepared bv staff
Agenda Item #2.
02 Mar 2026
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.Spacing and Canopy Restoration —Ensure minimum spacing standards are maintained to
support long-term canopy health and restoration goals.
.Small Lot Development Constraints —Address challenges associated with meeting tree planting
requirements on small or redeveloped lots with minimal setbacks and limited planting area.
Mitigation Ratios —Evaluate concerns regarding mitigation ratios,as feedback reflects differing
views on whether current requirements are too high or insufficient.
.After-the-Fact Permits —Clarify and refine code provisions governing calculation of mitigation
and penalties for unauthorized tree removal.
Prena red bv staff
Agenda Item #2.
02 Mar 2026
Page 4 of 4