Loading...
09-24-03 vAGENDA REGULAR MEETING OF TREE CONSERVATION BOARD September 24, 2003 7:00 g.m. Adele Gra ;e Cultural Center 1. Call to Order 2. Recognition of Visitors 3. Approval of Minutes of IYleeting of September 10, 2003 4. Old Business A. Discussion and possible action to amend the Tree Ordinance to include the definition of "Challenger" tree: B. Discussion and possible action to establish portions of Selva Marina Drive, North Sherry Drive, Live Oak Lane, Hickory Lane, 19`~ Street, Oak Circle and Creekside Circle as a Historic Preserve . Corridor 5. New Business A. Lot 4, Block 56, Section H (14`s Street West) B. Lots 1' to 4, Block 239, Section H (Levy Road) C. 1610 Coquina Place 6. Reports and Announcements 7. Adjournment All information related to these applications and full legal descriptions for the subject properties are . available for review at the City of Atlantic Beach Building Department located at 800 Seminole Road, Atlantic Beach, Florida. ' If any person decides to appeal any decision made by the Tree Conservation Board with respect to. any matter considered at the above meeting, he or she will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purpose, may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based. Notice to persons needing special accommodations and to all hearing impaired persons: In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing special accommodation to participate in this proceeding should contact the City of Atlantic Beach (904) 247-5800, 800 Seminole Road, Atlantic Beach, Florida 32233 not later than five days prior to the date of this meeting. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE TREE CONSERVATION BOARD September 24, 2003 A regular meeting of the Tree Conservation Board was held Wednesday, September 24, 2003, at the Adele Grage Cultural Center. Present were Chair Barbara Mears, Charles Carroll, Bill Permenter, Maureen Shaughnessy, Building Official Don Ford and Susan Dunham. 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. 2. Recognition of Visitors None. 3. Approval of Minutes of Meetings of September 10, 2003 Board Member Shaughnessy requested the following change to the minutes: Page 2, 6.A., first paragraph: "Board Member Shaughnessy advised that she acquired a list from the National Arbor Foundation. In addition, she stated that she found a 217" oak tree in Little Talbot Island while exploring." A motion was made by Board Member Permenter, seconded by Board Member Shaughnessy and ~unanimousiy carried to approve the Minutes of September 10, 2003, as amended. 4. Old Business A. Discussion and possible action to amend the Tree Ordinance to include the definition of "Challenger" tree: Moved to after New Business. B. Discussion and possible action to establish portions of Selva Marina Drive, North Sherry Drive, Live Oak Lane, Hickory Lane, 19`h Street, Oak Circle and Creekside Circle as a Historic Preserve Corridor: Moved to after New Business. S. New Business A. Tree Removal Applications 1. Lot 4, Block 56, Section H (14`h Street West): Mr. Larry Smallwood introduced himself as the contractor. Chair Mears advised that there were only four protected trees being removed totaling 26.5" of pine and 14.5" of oak. A motion was made by Board Member Shaughnessy, seconded by Board Member Permenter, and unanimously carried to direct the Building Official to issue a permit for the removal of 26.5" of pine and 14.5" of oak to be mitigated with 3.5" of pine and 4.75" of oak on site, and 2.5" of oak and 9.75" of hardwood to be planted on site or paid into the Tree Fund at $117 per inch. 2. Lots 1 to 4, Block 239, Section H (Levy Road): The applicant was not present so this item was moved to after agenda item.3. 3. 1610 Coquina Place: Mr. Brett Godard of Godard Design Associates introduced himself. Discussion was held with regard to the 7.5"-cedar next to the pool which was not Minutes of Tree Conservation Board September 2~1, 1003 Page 2 proposed for removal. After discussion, Mr. Godard requested that this tree be added to the List for removal. Chair Mears and Board Member Shaughnessy stated that the two cedar trees closest to the car on the site plan were not to be considered trees because they were bushes. The board advised Mr. Godard to work with Public Works with regard to removal of the cedar tree in the right-of--way. Building Official Ford informed Mr. Godard that the trees removed from the right-of--way required inch-for-inch replacement. Discussion was held with regard to possibly planting the mitigation trees across the street in Marvin Gardens Park if the applicant was not able to plant the trees on site. A motion was made by Board Member Shaughnessy, seconded by Board Member Permenter, and unanimously carried to direct the Building Official to issue a permit for the removal of IS" of hardwood to be mitigated with 7.5" of hardwood to be planted on site, by planting in Marvin Gardens Park across the street, and/or to he paid into the Tree Fund at $117 per inch. The Board recommended to Public Works that the applicant be allowed to remove the 13" multi-limb cedar at the front of the property on the right of way. 2. Lots 1 to 4, Block 239, Section H (Levy Road): The applicant was not present. The board discussed the Tree Ordinance requirement that trees planted for mitigation must be planted at least 10~ feet apart. Building Official Ford advised that aII the trees to be removed were over 10 inches and, therefore, were protected. He also advised that the applicant had no mitigation on site. The board determined that 299" of pine was proposed for removal. A motion was made by Board Member Shaughnessy, seconded by Board Member Permenter, and unanimously carried to direct the Building Official to issue a permit for the removal of 299" of pine to be mitigated with 149.5" of hardwood to be planted on site or to be paid into the Tree Fund at $117 per inch. Newly planted trees must be planted a minimum of 10 feet apart. 4. Old Business A. Discussion and possible action to amend the Trcc Ordinance to include the definition of "Challenger" tree: Chair Mears advised that after further research she found that a "challenger" tree was very.similar to a "champion" tree so she felt there was no point in moving forward with the designation. Board Member Shaughnessy stated that sites such as the National Arbor Foundation want to be notified of any unusually large trees. Discussion was held with regard to "specimen" trees and "grandfather" trees. Building Official Ford advised that there was a definition in the Tree Ordinance fora "specimen" tree. In addition, he advised that a designation was made for a "grandfather" tree 36" in diameter or greater in Tideviews Park. Chair Mears suggested that the board enlist the help of scout troops to measure trees. She also stated that she would look up the legal definition of "grandfather" tree. A motion was made by Board Member Shaughnessy, seconded by Board Member Carroll, and unanimously carried that the bard suggest to any and all interested Scout Troops that they conduct a study to find the biggest trees in Atlantic Beach parks to bring attention to the beautiful trees in Atlantic Beach with the possibility of the trees being recognized in national tree foundations. Specifically, the Board requests that the scouts learn how to measure tree height and canopy and fill out a form to nominate a "challenger" tree. Minutes of Tree Conservation Board September 29, 2003 Page 3 B. Discussion and possible action to establish portions of Selva Marina Drive, North Sherry Drive, Live Oak Lane, Hickory Lane, 19`h Street, Oak Circle and Creekside Circle as a Historic Preserve Corridor: Building Offcial Ford advised that the city did not have a tree survey for these areas. He distributed a map which outlined the projected area. He advised that these streets were designed as one particular project and it was designed to protect as many trees as possible. Board members stated that they would like to investigate this area and report back at the next meeting. 6. Reports and Announcements Chair Mears advised the Board that Jim McCue had expressed interest in joining the Tree Conservation Board. Building Official Ford advised that he would contact him. 7. Adjournment There being no other business or discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Barbara Mears, Chair ~.