Agenda Item 6D- Resolution No. 17-34Agenda Item 6D
December 11, 2017
AGENDA ITEM:
DATE SUBMITTED:
SUBMITTED BY:
SUMMARY:
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
STAFF REPORT
DECEMBER 13, 2017
Designation of a Live Oak in Johansen Park as a Heritage Tree
December 5, 2017
Kevin Hogencamp, Deputy City Manager ·11}!;--
The Environmental Stewardship Committee has nominated a landmark 40-inch-diameter Live
Oak tree at Johansen Park as a Heritage Tree. This project is being carried out in connection with
the City's application to be designated a Tree City USA. A ceremony in December celebrating
the designation is being planned as the City's 2017 Arbor Day observance event.
According to City Code Section 23-41 (a) "The City Commission may by resolution designate
individual heritage trees." Although a Heritage Tree designation does not prevent a tree from
ever being removed, it makes it more difficult and costly to remove. Protected trees must be
mitigated at a rate of one inch for every two inches removed; a Heritage Tree must be mitigated
at a rate of one inch for every inch removed.
According to the City of Atlantic Beach Tree Protection Code definitions, Heritage Trees on city-
owned property (parks and rights-of-way) are "any tree determined by the City Commission to be
of unique or intrinsic value due to its age, size, species, and/or cultural, ecological or historical
significance or some other contribution to the city's character, specifically including all Cypress,
Live Oak and Magnolia trees with diameter 30 inches or greater."
The proposed Heritage Tree in question is estimated to 13 8 years old; it serves as a central
landmark in the center of Johansen Park, home to the annual Atlantic Beach Arts in the Park
festival. This would be the third tree to be designated by the City Commission as Heritage Trees;
the other two were on private property.
RECOMMENDATION: That the Commission approve Resolution 17-34 designating a 40-
inch-diameter Live Oak Tree in Johansen Park as a Heritage Tree.
BUDGET: Less than $150 on a marker identifying the Heritage Tree
ATTACHMENTS: 1. Resolution No. 17-34.
2. Photograph of a 40-inch diameter Live Oak tree at Johansen
Park.
Agenda Item 6D
December 11, 2017
RESOLUTION NO. 17-34
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA,
DESIGNATINGA40-INCH-DIAMETER~IVEOAKTREEINJOHANSENPARK
AS A HERITAGE TREE.
WHEREAS, Atlantic Beach's tree canopy beautifies our community and improves the lives of
our citizens and visitors by bringing nature to our urban environment and preserving environmental
sanctuaries for connection with the natural world; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Atlantic Beach desires to be a good steward of
the tree canopy, particularly specimens of physical and historical significance;
WHEREAS, the City Commission has the ability to designate individual trees as Heritage Trees
according Section 23-41 (a) of the Atlantic Beach Code of Ordinances; and
WHEREAS, the Heritage Tree designation runs with the property and doubles the mitigation ratio
if the tree is ever removed; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission created the Environmental Stewardship Committee in 2017 to
serve as curators of our environment, thus creating a legacy for future generations of our community; and
WHEREAS, as its 2017 Arbor Day project, the Environmental Stewardship Committee has
nominated a 40-inch-diameter Live Oak Tree in Johansen Park as a Heritage Tree; and
WHEREAS, the nominated tree has a 126-inch circumference and is approximately 138 years
old, and was selected because it serves as a central landmark in the center of Johansen Park, home to the
annual Atlantic Beach Arts in the Park festival; and
WHEREAS, the Environmental Stewardship Committee will hold an event in December 2017
commemorating Arbor Day and celebrating the this Heritage Tree designation, a first for a tree on public
property in Atlantic Beach;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the City Commission of the City of Atlantic Beach
hereby designates a 40-inch-diameter Live Oak at Johansen Park as a "Heritage Tree."
This Resolution shall take effect immediate upon its passage and adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City of Atlantic Beach, on this 13th day ofDecember, 2017.
Ellen Glasser, Mayor
Attest:
Donna L. Bartle, City Clerk
Approved as to form and correctness:
Brenna M. Durden, City Attorney
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