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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
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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
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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,
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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
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SIGNED MAUREEN SHAUGHNES ,CHAIRPERSON DATE
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