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10-10-07 v rn /n a /er Tree CoNferaafoll Soar/ alder fO, 2OO,;, OO,m .0%4 Cp/.4:fe CuluralCetr 7(6 Ocean Boulrraral CALL TO ORDER At 7:00 PM by Chair Shaughnessy BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT Stephanie Catania, Jim McCue, Brea Paul, and Maureen Shaughnessy BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT Carole Varney MEETING FACILITATOR Erika Hall, Planner/Staff Liaison RECORDING SECRETARY (vacant) VISITORS&GUESTS None APPROVAL OF MINUTES September 12th, 2007 Regular Meeting and September 27th Workshop MOTION/SECOND Stephanie Catania / Jim McCue DISCUSSION None VOTE Unanimous NEW BUSINESS TREE REMOVAL PERMITS PROPERTY 144 14th Street (Berset) Mr. Al Arena, residential designer, appeared before the board on behalf of Mr. & Mrs. David Berset, who are in the process of purchasing the residence located at 144 14th Street. The Bersets desire to extend the home with a two-story addition on the rear of the existing structure, and in the footprint of that addition are six (6) Palms and Pines. Board members examined the site plan and determined that, due to size and location, none of said trees are protected. Ms. Hall told the board that she had spoken with both Mr. Berset and Mr. Arena on several occasions over the last month or so, and that both had indicated that the Bersets are interested DISCUSSION in putting in a swimming pool at a later date. She said that she had told Mr. Berset that she did not believe that either the trees in question tonight, or those that might need to be removed for the installation of the swimming pool would require mitigation, due to size or location. However, Ms. Hall said that she had indicated to both Mr. Berset and Mr. Arena that further tree removal might require new planting(s) in order to comply with minimum tree planting requirements of one (1) 4" caliper per 2500 square feet of property. She said that Mr. Berset stated he was more than happy to comply with that regulation and would probably seek guidance from the Tree Board in choosing appropriate trees for landscaping in the near future. MOTION/SECOND Stephanie Catania / Jim McCue: A motion was made to direct staff to issue a f) Page iof4 Minutes of ftie Octoaer f0,2007 ReyuIar Meeting of ftie `Tree Conservation Board tree removal permit for the removal of the following trees from the interior zone: two (2) 12" Palms and four (4) 12" Pines, with no mitigation required. VOTE Unanimous ACTION ITEMS PERSON RESPONSIBLE DEADLINE Issue tree removal permit to applicant, per direction of Erika Hall 10/11/2007 board's motion. NEW BUSINESS TREE REMOVAL PERMITS PROPERTY 298 Sherry Drive (AB Elementary / DCPS) Mr. George Santos, All State Construction, appeared before the board on behalf of owner Duval County Public Schools. This permit is being sought for the removal of trees in proximity to, and as part of the construction of a new parking lot and dry detention pond. Ms. Hall told the board that she had been in contact with project Landscape Architect Kelly Elmore, and that a great deal of work has been invested to save as many trees as possible. She noted that a large number of on- site trees were being relocated and incorporated into the landscape plan. Jim McCue questioned the removal of the two Florida Elms. Mr. Santos stated that the trees were located too close to an existing structure. Ms. Hall confirmed that she had been told the same by Mr. Elmore, stating that she believe that he said that the trees were within 12" of the structure and visible damage to said structure had been noted. Mr. McCue stated that he would like more information regarding this DISCUSSION damage. Maureen Shaughnessy noted that the two central parking islands, planned to each contain a Live Oak, would probably be too constrictive for that species. Other board members agreed, and based upon discussions at the previous workshop, suggested that either the size of the island be increased, or another tree of comparable canopy, but with a more compact root system, be chosen for the existing footprints of the parking islands. Upon further review of the landscape plan, it was noted that Mr. Elmore had chosen to utilize Asparagus Fern (Asparagus densiflorus 'Sprengeri), which is considered to be an invasive species. Ms. Shaughnessy pointed out that the plant has "pricklers", and that the intended location near the bicycle racks was not a good choice. Ms. Hall looked up the plant and informed board members that berries produced by the plant could cause gastrointestinal distress if ingested, and that contact with plant sap could cause dermatological irritation. Board members asked Ms. Hall to ask Mr. Elmore to reconsider use of this particular plant. Jim McCue / Brea Paul: A motion was made to direct staff to issue a permit for the removal of the following trees from the interior zone: one (1) 24" Florida Elm, one (1) 22" Florida Elm, and two (2) 16" Cabbage Palms, for a total of 78" in the interior zone. From the exterior zone, the following trees are to be removed: one (1) 12" Cabbage Palm and one (1) 13" Cabbage Palm, for a total of 25" in the exterior zone. Mitigation shall be accomplished by the designation of existing trees as protected in lieu of mitigation, or by the replanting of new trees as MOTION/SECOND follows: 23" of hardwoods of the applicants' choice and 14" of other trees of the applicants' choice. Trees so designated or planted to meet mitigation requirements shall be noted on the final approved landscape plan, and must be in place before issuance of final inspection approval. NOTES TO APPLICANT: (1) Please supply information as to reason for removing two Florida Elms; (2) Please reconsider choice of Live Oaks for two central parking islands. Either choose another tree of similar canopy that has a more compact root system, or increase size of islands so as not to constrict the growth of the S 't,, ri rj�9� Paye2of4 Minutes of ttie Octo&er 10,2007`I yular Meeting of ftie Tree Conservation Board Live Oaks; and, (3) Please reconsider the use of the Asparagus Fern, as it is an invasive species, it contains spines, fruit is poisonous if ingested, and direct contact with plant sap may cause dermatological irritation. VOTE Unanimous ACTION ITEMS PERSON RESPONSIBLE DEADLINE Issue tree removal permit to applicant, per direction of Erika Hall 10/11/2007 board's motion. NEW BUSINESS TREE REMOVAL PERMITS PROPERTY 1217 Lily Street (Harrell) Ms. Hall noted that Mr. Harrell applied for, was approved and received a tree removal permit (#07-00000572) on April 27, 2007. However, Mr. Harrell, with the assistance of adjacent property owner Joe Durante, has revised his site plan to accommodate drainage, as well as to show a well, a septic field and a driveway. Ms. Hall told board members that the reconfigurations would result in the preservation of more trees. Thus, because trees had not yet been removed from the site under the previous permit, Ms. Hall advised voiding the previous tree DISCUSSION removal permit and reviewing this application as new site development. Board members reviewed the reconfigured site plan, noting the locations of the septic field and well, and discussed the grading of the lot to accommodate sheet flow. There was general agreement that water & wastewater regulations necessitated the removal of trees in proximity of those improvements. Additionally, Ms. Shaughnessy commended the applicant for his efforts to save all other trees on the lot. Both Mr. Harrell and Mr. Durante were present to discuss revisions that had been made to the site plan. Brea Paul / Jim McCue: A motion was made to direct staff to revoke permit #07-00000572, and issue a new permit for the removal of the following trees: nine (9) 6" Live Oaks, five (5) 7" Live Oaks, two (2) 8" Live Oaks, and one (1) 10" Live Oak, for a total of 115" in the interior zone, none of which require mitigation; and, one (1) 6" Live Oak, seven (7) 7" Live Oaks, and two (2) 8" Live Oaks, for a MOTION/SECOND total of 71" in the exterior zone, and requiring mitigation of 35.5" with hardwoods of the applicant's choice. A number of trees remain on the subject property that will satisfy this mitigation requirement, or the applicant may return within six (6) months of issue of this permit with a site plan demonstrating 35.5" of new Oaks and/or Hardwoods to serve as mitigation. All mitigation shall be accomplished prior to issuance of Certificate of Occupancy. VOTE Unanimous ACTION ITEMS PERSON RESPONSIBLE DEADLINE Issue tree removal permit to applicant, per direction of Erika Hall 10/11/2007 board's motion. REPORTS&ANNOUNCEMENTS INFORMATION PROVIDED BY MS. HALL "Tree Preservation Ordinances"— National Association of Home Builders REFERENCE "Cities Learningthe Value ConservingTreeCanopy"— Orlando Sentinel ARTICLES of ano py "VA High Court Breaks New Ground on Tree Liability"— Washington Post Board members reviewed the articles, noting the importance of viewing the urban DISCUSSION tree canopy as part of the city's infrastructure, and encouraging "developers to design around healthy and mature trees", as stated in the OS article. Additionally, 4_< L7i,. , Paje3of 4 Minutes of Me October 10,2007 9ular Meeting of ftie 'Tree Conservation Board they agreed that a more cooperative, as opposed to adversarial, process needed to be developed, as stated in the NAHB article. Board members also concurred with the NAHB position that "A community should realize that not all trees are worth saving and should be very specific about which trees it does seek to protect." Members agreed that this was precisely the reason that such a "blanket" regulation as exists in Neptune Beach was not the answer for Atlantic Beach. All agreed that the NAHB article presented some innovative approaches to tree protection worth further examination as to applicability in Atlantic Beach. ACTION ITEMS PERSON RESPONSIBLE DEADLINE None None None REPORTS&ANNOUNCEMENTS INFORMATION PROVIDED BY MS. HALL WORKSHOP WorkshopReport to CityCommission at 10/08/07 REPORT PMeeting. Ms. Hall told the board that she had appeared before the City Commission at their regular meeting held on 10/08/07 to report on the Tree Board Workshop held on 9/27/07. Ms. Hall stated that the Commissioners had been supplied with a draft of the workshop minutes, as well as a staff report summarizing the findings of the workshop. She conveyed to the Commissioners that this initial workshop had been quite productive even though public attendance was low, probably due to election DISCUSSION events. She told the Commissioners that the Tree Board had identified a number of specific issues that needed to be addressed by any impending revisions to the tree ordinance, and that the consensus of the Tree Board was that solutions needed to be specific to the unique character of Atlantic Beach and the desires of the community as a whole. Ms. Hall told board members that the Mayor and Commissioners present at the meeting expressed gratitude for the initiation of this process and encouraged the Tree Board and Staff to carry on and continue to provide regular updates to the incoming Commission. ACTION ITEMS PERSON RESPONSIBLE DEADLINE None None None ADJOURNMENT At 9:25 PM by Chair Shaughnessy MOTION/SECOND Jim McCue / Stephanie Catania - // a-1---e/lXLH-- / / , - a ,Do SIGNED MAUREEN SHAUGHNES ,CHAIRPERSON DATE O '&._'.4f1/1 Paje4of4