Agenda Item 5A- ESC ReportCity of Atlantic Beach
Environmental Stewardship Committee
Background and Recommendation Regarding
Proposed Beaches Town Center landscaping Renovation Plan
Summary from COAB Environmental Stewardship Committee Presentation on 12/13/2017
Representatives of the Beaches Town Center Agency (BTCA) presented a landscaping renovation
proposal from Rockaway, a landscape solutions company based in Jacksonville Beach, to the COAB ESC
on 12/13/2017. The BTCA is seeking funding from COAB to enable the project to proceed. The total
estimated cost of the project approximately $130,000, and BTCA is suggesting that COAB contribute one
third of the total with the remainder coming in equal shares from BTCA and the City of Neptune Beach.
The proposed renovation would replace virtually all the existing plants in Town Center public areas.
Existing palm trees and a few larger shrubs would remain. In addition, new irrigation would be installed
along with some hardscape features such as retaining walls, large coquina boulders, and smaller rock
ground cover material.
The proposal from Rockway includes a detailed landscape plan and plant schedule.
The ESC members noted some concerns to the representatives that we believe should be addressed
before COAB considers providing the requested funding:
1. Several the plants that are included in the proposed plan are not suitable for use in BTC for
several reasons:
a. Not freeze tolerant and not suitable for our USDA freeze hardiness zone (9A/9B)
b. Poisonous to humans and to dogs-BTC is a very high pedestrian traffic area and
children and dog-friendly area
c. Some of the plants are tropical and more suited to south Florida
d. The original plan provided by the landscape architect had a more appropriate plant
palette that is more in keeping with what most local, respected landscape architects
would use in a project of this type.
2. Plans call for use of rocks as a ground cover in a number of areas-this should be looked at
more to ensure that rocks aren't an attractive nuisance for children and that they don't end up
in streets and sidewalks
3. Plans call for the planting of a large, multi-trunk palm in the circle at the end of Atlantic Blvd
which would likely prevent the Christmas tree display in the circle; committee members are
concerned that this would be viewed negatively by citizens
ESC Follow-Up After December 13, 2017 Committee Meeting
A subcommittee of the ESC held several public meetings after the full Committee meeting on December
13th. These meetings were attended by Committee members Sarah Dark and Bruce Andrews, Atlantic
Beach resident and landscape architect Kelly Elmore, Deputy City Manager Kevin Hogencamp, and
Agenda Item 5A
January 22, 2018
various representatives of the Beaches Town Center and Rockaway. Not all attendees were present at
all the meetings. At these meetings, we reviewed the plan in detail and, with Sarah Dark's efforts,
proposed several changes to address our concerns. These changes have been reflected in a revised plan
that was reviewed at our full Committee meeting on January 10th.
Summary from ESC Meeting on January 10, 2018
At our January 10th Committee meeting, the ESC voted unanimously to recommend approval of the
requested funding to the COAB Commission. We believe that the revised plan will greatly enhance the
BTC and is needed at this time. We discussed several concerns that we want to bring to your attention,
but ultimately concluded that we are supportive of the project and of the city's participation in the
funding. Those concerns were:
1. While we are being asked to fund one third of the total cost, less than one third of the area
being landscaped falls within our city limits.
2. We have been told that the maintenance of the existing landscaping is not adequate. If we
proceed with the proposed plan, we need to ensure that the maintenance is improved to
protect our investment.
3. The plan calls for a large, multi-trunk palm and surrounding plants to be installed in the circle at
the end of Atlantic Blvd. This planting would likely preclude having the traditional holiday tree
that we have had for many years during the holidays. The Committee believes that this issue is
beyond the scope ofthe ESC and would be better addressed by city staff or the Commission.
Our recommendation is not intended to support the removal ofthe holiday tree tradition.
Representatives ofthe ESC will attend the Commission meeting on January 22 to share this information
and answer any questions from the Commissioners.
Respectfully submitted by,
Bruce Andrews
Vice Chairman, ESC
Agenda Item 5A
January 22, 2018