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12-02-97 Tree Conservation Board Meeting MinutesTREE CONSERVATION BOARD Minutes of December 2, 1996 The Board held its regular meeting on Monday, December 2, in the City Commission Chambers. Present were: Rick Beaver Judy Jacobson Mae Jones Rick Bell Staff: George Worley, Designee Carl Walker, Coordinator Rick Beaver, in the absence of Hope Van Nortwick, called the meeting to order at 7:40 PM. The only application on the agenda for tree removal was for portions of Lot # 4 & # 5, Block # 76, Sec. H. No represen- tative of the builder, Pulte Home Corporation/No. Florida Classic Homes, was present. Board members who had visited the property stated that the lot had already been clear-cut with only three trees remain- ing on the lot although those trees were not marked or flag- ged in any way. From the plans, there was also a question whether or not a 10" pine in the building plan was protected due to its location on the property. That tree has been re- moved and as a result, the correct mitigation replacement re- quirement could not be determined. Mae Jones moved to deny the application as the lot has been clear-cut and that the violation should be referred to the Code Enforcement Board for their action. Rick Bell seconded and the motion passed by a unanimous vote. The Board also made note that this was a repetitive prob- lem with this particular builder and they had been warned on several occasions that future tree removal without per- mitting would result in this action. George Worley will han- dle the issuance of a stop -work order on the lot and also refer the incident to Code Enforcement. Although they were not on the agenda, Mr. Richard Thompson, contractor, and Mr. Rausch, the property owner/applicant for Lot # 307, Saltair Subdivision, Sec. # 3, were present to ask reconsideration by the Board for action taken at the June 17 Board meeting. At that meeting, the Board approved the application with the provision that 57.5" DBH of hard- wood trees, 4" DBH of which must be oak. George reported that he went by the completed construction site for a final inspection prior to issuing a Certificate of Occupancy and found that the only replacement trees were 3 - 1" oak trees for a total of 3" DBH. The builder and Mr. Rausch contend there is not sufficient room on the lot for the required replacement trees. Additionally, they noted that all of the trees originally proposed for removal were not taken out due to a change in the positioning of the driveway. It was also expressed by Mr. Rausch that payment into the tree fund in lieu of replacement of trees, the option allowed by the ordinance, was too costly. Mr. Rausch requested relief from the mitigation requirement until such time as a revised plan be submitted to the Board but that the C.O. be issued immediately so that he could occupy the residence. He also stated that he had met with the City Manager who was willing to allow for monies into the tree fund be extended to a payment plan over a specified period of time. Several options were discussed by the Board and each was.ex- plained to the applicant. It was also agreed by the Board members that time did not allow for a special meeting to be called and the earliest that the matter could be reconsidered would be at the next regular meeting date of December 16. The Board explained in detail that they could not promise any reduction to the original mitigation requirement and that only consideration could be given for trees which were in- cluded in the original plan for removal but which were saved. The condition of a pine tree which the applicant claimed was dead could not be determined since it was already removed. In the meantime, Mr. Rausch can handle the matter of the C.O. with the City Manager and a payment plan be executed for re- placement trees based on the original requirement until such time as the Board had a chance to visit the site and consider a change in the mitigation. All parties were agreeable to this arrangement. In other business, the Board discussed briefly the proposed lake in Johansen Park and the effect it would have on the re- moval of trees. Staff assured that the application would be heard by the Board in the usual manner. Rick Beaver reported that he had attended the recent Commun- ity Board meeting and was satisfied with the landscape plan provided by Kent Theaters for the remodeled Atlantic Theater. - 2 - Judy Jacobson moved to approve the minutes of the last meet- ing, as read. Mae Jones seconded and the motion carried by a unanimous vote. With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:35 PM. P ,�' Richard Beaver Secretary - 3 -