371 10th Street (Robert Starratt) 06.17.2008
June 17, 2008
Robert and Donna Starratt
3941 Alcazar Avenue
Jacksonville, Florida 32207-6001
Re: Tree removal at 371 Tenth Street in Atlantic Beach
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Starratt:
The City wishes to encourage you to reconsider you r plans to remove the large oak tree located within the
front yard of your property at 371 Tenth Street. Atlantic Beach residents place great value on the
exceptional tree canopy we have in this community and are very active in encouraging the protection of this
resource, which uniquely distinguishes Atlantic Beach from other areas of the beaches.
While you are exempt from the requirements to obtain a Tree Removal permit in that you have advised that
you plan no construction at the property, replacement of this tree wi th a minimum 4-inch caliper hardwood
within the front yard will be required. Also be advised that in the case that the cost of removal and
replacement of the existing driveway were to exceed $10,000, you will be required to obtain a Tree
Removal permit from the Tree Conservation Board.
I know that Erika Hall has discussed options with you, and we would suggest that you discuss driveway
repair or replacement with concrete contractors who are experience d in pouring driveways in heavily treed
neighborhoods. Quite often they are able to trim tree roots, reinforce new concrete and install expansion
joints that minimize future cracking. It has also been explained to me several times that the type of soils in
this area create just as much chance of cracked concrete as do tree roots. This tree does not appear to be so
close to the driveway that roots could not be trimmed considerably.
If you do proceed to have the tree removed, I would suggest that you make other residents on 10 th street
aware of your plans. Removal of such a large tree will be a large undertaking, and any need to block the
street even temporarily must be coordinated with the Public Works and/or Public Safety Department.
(Recognizing that this is your property, I would also caution that other residents in the area are likely to
strongly object to removal of this tree, particularly if they are caught-off-guard.)
Sincerely,
Sonya Doerr
Community Development Director
cc: Rick Carper, Public Works Director
David Thompson, Public Safety Director
Erika Hall, Principal Planner