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02-03-97 v TREE CONSERVATION BOARD Minutes of February 3 , 1997 The Board held its regular meeting on Monday, February 3 , in the Conference Room of City Hall . Present were : Hope Van Nortwick, Chairperson Rick Bell Rick Beaver Judy Jacobson Mae Jones Staff : George Worley, Designee Carl Walker, Coordinator The meeting was called to order at 7 : 30 PM. The first application for removal was for Lot #6 , Block #4 , Atlantic Beach Parkway. Frank Gamel , contractor, and Dave Rogers , homeowner, were present . The plans call for 40" DBH of oaks and 63" DBH of palms to be removed. A multi-trunk wax myrtle , not included in the count , was discussed. Rick Bell advised that he measured the tree and calculated that it totaled 19" DBH . The Board agreed that , according to the tree survey, none of the trees to be removed were protected . Mae Jones emphasized the importance of proper barricading of the trees to remain, especially the cluster of oaks in the rear of the lot. Judy Jacobson moved to approve the plans , as submitted. Hope Van Nortwick seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Jim King of Sandar Industries was present for the review of the Phase II plans at 1545 Main Street . Proposed for removal are a total of 48" DBH of laurel oak. Nine pines also are to be removed but their DBH is less than 16" each, the size previously established as a minimum by an agreement between the Board and Sandar Industries on this parcel of property. The plans call for replacement of 5 oak trees totaling 24" DBH. Following discussion, Hope Van Nortwick moved to accept the plans , as proposed. Rick Beaver seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Jim Pelkey, contractor, was present for review of the plans for Lot #91 , Selva Norte , Unit II . Only one protected tree , a 15" DBH oak, is proposed for removal . Mr. Pelkey indicated on the plans two 5" DBH oaks to remain on the lot as mitiga- tion. Judy Jacobson moved to approve the plans , as submitted. Hope Van Nortwick seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Hank Pocopanni , builder, was present to review the applica- tion for Lot #4 , Block #160 , Sec . H . The Board deferred action on this item at a previous meeting. Amended plans were submitted and the builder answered questions from the Board. It was agreed that the only protected tree to be re- removed is a 16" DBH pine . There was discussion on a multi- trunked oak on the lot but Mr. Pocopanni stated it is to re- main. He was cautioned about properly barricading the tree . Rick Bell moved to approve the plans with a stipulation that 8" DBH of hardwood trees be replaced on the lot , with a mini- mum of 3" DBH each, and that the multi-trunked oak be preser- ved. Rick Beaver seconded and the motion unanimously passed. Cliff Gray and Wayne Haddock of Pulte Home were present for the Board' s reconsideration of removal at Lot #148 , Selva Lakes . Action on this item was also previously deferred. Discussion arose on the oak tree proposed for removal shown on the plans as being 36" DBH . The Board found this oak to be multi-trunked with a total of DBH of 65" when properly measured. There was a question on 3 palm trees not shown on the survey but which members felt were on the lot . The ap- plicant explained that these are on the adjoining lot . General discussion followed on the accuracy of surveys which accompany applications from Pulte . It was also pointed out that the trees on site are not properly marked to comply with application requirements and that the lot set back lines are not shown on the surveys . On this lot , in addition to the 65" DBH oak, there is also an 18" DBH protected palm tree . Rick Bell moved to approve the plans with the stipulation that the applicant replace four 4" DBH oaks and a 9" DBH palm on site and that 16 . 5" DBH in oaks be donated to the city tree fund. Judy Jacobson seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Hope Van Nortwick advised that at the recent Code Enforcement Board meeting , Pulte Home had been fined $5 , 000 for clearing a lot prior to Tree Board permitting . An option had also been given Pulte to come before the Tree Board for a recommenda- tion to reduce this fine . Mr. Gray admitted that mistakes were made in the past but it was the intent of his company to comply with all requirements in the future . All areas of the Board ' s concerns are being addressed, according to Mr. Gray. He advised that Pulte owns 16-18 lots in Sec . H. to be permitted for tree removal , some of which have very few trees while others are heavily wooded. - 2 - w It was his proposal that Pulte prepare a plan to present to the Board of the lots in Sec . H. involved . The plan would contain tree surveys of the existing lots and an equitable replanting design based on the total tree removal proposed . Board members expressed interest in this proposal , citing the success of the similar agreement with the developers of Selva Linkside . However, they also advised that while this action may result in a recommendation to the Code Enforcement Board for mitigation of the fine , that Board might not agree. Pulte Home will return for the March 3 meeting with a proposal . Mr. Gray also announced that Tony Munoz , who was present at the meeting , is superintendent for Atlantic Beach projects, and can be called at 993-1465 at any time should the Board encounter a problem or have any question at the job sites . In other business , Hope Van Nortwick advised that Mr. Rausch had been fined a total of $250 . 00 for the Tree Ordinance vio- lation which has been the subject of several Tree Board meet- ings . It was noted how supportive the Code Enforcement Board had been on this issue and the one involving Pulte Home . It was felt this proves that the ordinance is taken seriously. Rick Beaver distributed minutes of the special on site meet- ting held February 25 . Hope thanked members for attending and it was agreed that progress was made . Judy has histori- cal documentation available in the form of slides and films . It was proposed that these be made into video tape form. Mae has photographs to assist in establishing the railroad bed. Creating an historical district in an area within the core city was also discussed. This and other aspects of the tree designation program will be discussed at the next meeting . George was asked about progress on the required landscaping by Kent Theaters . He advised that the plans were still being worked on. He will continue to follow up and advise. Hope Van Nortwick moved to accept the minutes of the last meeting , as written. Judy Jacobson seconded and the motion carried unanimously. With no further business , the meeting adjourned at 9 : 45 PM . (i44 1,— {-Dv^ Richard Beaver Secretary - 3 -