02-17-98 v TREE CONSERVATION BOARD
Minutes of Meeting of February 17 , 1998
The Tree Conservation Board met on Tuesday, February 17 , in
the Conference Room of City Hall . Present were:
Mae Jones, Chairperson Judy Jacobson
Susan Bullock Mary Emerson-Smith
Staff: Carl Walker, Coordinator George Worley, Designee
The meeting was called to order at 7 : 30 PM by Chairperson Mae
Jones.
The first application for review was for tree removal at Lot
# 25 , Sevilla Gardens. Randall Copeland, property owner, in-
troduced himself to the Board and advised that the trees to
be removed were within the house and driveway footprint . He
also stated that he would replace any trees, as required.
The Board verified the set-back requirements since the survey
showed side set-backs of 5 ' instead of 7 . 50 ' . It was deter-
minded the only tree to be removed requiring mitigation was
a triple oak ( # 5 on the tree survey) calculated to be 25"
DBH, requiring replacement of 12 . 5" DBH inches of oak. It
was pointed out that a 7" DBH oak ( # 16 on the tree survey)
could be designated as protected as partial mitigation. Mr.
Copeland was willing to plant 2 additional 4" oaks on site.
A motion was made by Judy Jacobson to approve the application
for removal of the 25" DBH of oak, with mitigation by desig-
nation of tree # 16 as a protected tree and 2-4" DBH oaks to
be planted on site. Susan Bullock seconded and the motion
unanimously passed.
The next application reviewed by the Board was submitted by
the City of Atlantic Beach on behalf of the Atlantic Beach
Athletic Association. It is proposed that two pines , each
18 . 5" DBH, be removed to construct new batting cages. The
application calls for replacement of 5 hardwood trees, 4" DBH
each, to be planted elsewhere in Russell Park. There was no
representative present from the Athletic Association.
The Board expressed opposition to the removal , stating that
these two trees were the only existing ones in that area of
the park. Due to the absence of an Athletic Association
representative , no explanation could be given as to why the
proposed batting cages must be in that specific location or
if there were any alternate area which could be considered
and which would allow the trees to remain.
Susan Bullock moved to defer action on the application until
such time as a representative was present for discussion on
the proposal to include the schematics for the cages , their
placement , and possible alternatives. Judy Jacobson seconded
and the motion unanimously passed.
Charles McKay was present to review plans for removal of a 9"
DBH maple at property owned by him at the SW corner of May-
port Road and Edgar Street . He explained that the removal is
prompted by a request from an attorney representing the
owner of adjacent property (American Storage ) who contends
that the tree limbs encroach upon his lot.
The Board and Dr. McKay discussed the situation and it was
suggested that the protruding limbs be trimmed to satisfy the
owner of the adjacent property but would not require removal
of the tree or the required mitigation. The Board recommended
this be done by a tree expert so that the life of the tree
would not be endangered. Dr. McKay will explore this option
and withdrew his request for removal .
Ms. Sandy Griffis of Intervest Construction appeared before
the Board requesting their assistance for her client , Mr. and
Mrs . Perez . They plan to build on Lot # 48 , Oceanwalk and
to save a 45" oak tree on the property. However, due to set-
back requirements of Oceanwalk, the Architectual Review Board
has requested that the house be shifted on the lot, requiring
removal of the oak. Ms. Griffis asked that the Board contact
the Oceanwalk Review Board requesting that the 45" oak be
allowed to remain on the lot and the house to be placed as
originally planned. Carl said he would assist Mae Jones in
the preparation of a letter with this request by the Board.
George outlined the circumstances surrounding the removal of
three trees at 1177 Atlantic Boulevard. No representative
was present and it was George' s recommendation to the Board
that they defer action of the application until such time as
the applicant was present and the owner of the adjacent pro-
perty was located and notified. Judy Jacobson moved to defer
action until a later date , based on George ' s recommendation.
Mary Emerson-Smith seconded; the motion passed unanimously.
George explained to the Board the usage and function of the
City forms currently used in the building inspection process .
After discussion, the Board felt it was be to their advantage
to include a stamp to designate the tree inspection for pro-
per barricading and for compliance with Board action on ap-
plications. Judy Jacobson and Susan Bullock volunteered to
explore securing such a stamp to be used and will report back
at the next Board meeting .
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Mae Jones welcomed Mary Emerson-Smith to the Board. She also
advised that , as newly elected Chairperson, she would need
the strong support of the Board members , especially since
she was following in the footsteps of the strong leadership
given by the past Chairperson, Hope Van Nortwick. Mae also
recommended that all members become more familiar with the
Tree Ordinance .
The minutes of the last meeting were not yet available but
will be provided for the next regular meeting.
With no further business , Mae Jones adjourned the meeting at
9: 10 PM.
034-r- A
17`"4-FX
Carl Walker
Board Coordinator
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