303 6th Street (Tree Letter) 10.02.2007 signedOctober 2, 2007
Mr. Jeffrey Woods
303 6t' Street
Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
Dear Jeff:
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
BUILDING AND PLANNING
800 SEMINOLE ROAD
ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA 32233-5445
TELEPHONE: (904) 247-5800
FAX: (904) 247-5845
http://ci.atlantic-beach.fl.us
Per our conversation today, I am confirming the following requirements for obtaining a tree removal
permit in relation to construction activities. Section 23-17(b) of the City of Atlantic Beach Code of
Ordinances states:
(1) No person, organization, society, association or corporation, or any agent or
representative thereof, directly or indirectly, shall cut down, remove, damage or
destroy, or shall authorize the cutting down, removal, damage, or destruction of,
any protected tree, as defined in section 23-16 hereof, or shall commit any act or
authorize the commission of any act which physically removes a protected tree or
causes a tree to die, such as damage inflicted upon the root system by heavy
machinery, chemicals, or paving, changing the natural grade above the root
system and tree damage permitting infection or pest infestation, without first
having obtained a permit as herein provided.
(2) The following protected trees are exempted from the provisions of this section:
a. Any tree located on any property upon which either a single-family
dwelling or a mobile home on an individual lot is located unless a permit
for development, redevelopment, or renovation, valued at ten thousand
dollars ($10,000.00) or more, is required, or anticipated within six (6)
months following tree removal, [italics added)
The original determination of staff that you were exempt from obtaining a tree removal permit was
based upon the project valuation, given by you both verbally on June 7 , as well as contained within
the application for building permit for installation of two bay windows only. That residential
addition/renovation permit (RAAR #07-00000758), also issued on June 7th listed a project value of
$5000.00.
At the time of that conversation in early June, no other building permits were open, and no indication
was given to staff that additional permitted work was to occur within six months of tree removal.
However, on June le, a permit for re -roofing (ROOF #07-00000843) with a project value of
$13,800.00 was obtained. Subsequent revisions to the residential addition/renovation plan to include
the extension of a porch and replacement of windows are currently under review. A new residential
addition/renovation permit with revised project value of $13,000 is anticipated as replacement for the
original permit. Thus, the work being done meets both criteria of Section 23-17(b)(2)a, exceeding the
threshold amount of $10,000.00, and also requiring a building permits. Additionally, you have indicated
that the tree(s) in question has since been removed.
303 6' Street (Woods)
October 2, 2007
Page 2 of 2
If the removed tree(s) was protected, then you will need to complete an application for a tree removal
permit. The definition of a protected tree, according to Section 23-16, is as follows:
[Any tree on private property with] DBH of six (6) inches or more located on any lot
within twenty (20) feet of a street right-of-way (including an approved private street or
other access easement) and twenty (20) feet from the rear lot line or located within
seven and one-half (7 Y2) feet of any side property line; or a tree with a DBH of twenty
(20) inches or more located elsewhere on a residential lot.
For your convenience, I have enclosed a copy of the tree removal permit application, along with the
business card for Tree Board Liaison and Staff Planner Erika Hall. At first glance, the application may
seem intimidating, however, much of the requested information is pertinent only to new site
development and/or commercial development. Ms. Hall has highlighted the items that would need to
be completed and submitted for review. Additionally, she is more than happy to answer any questions
that you might have, assist you in completing the application and getting it routed to the Tree Board
members for review.
Sincerely,
Hanson
City Manager
encl: tree removal permit application
cc: Sonya Doerr, Community Development Director
Erika Hall, Tree Board Liaison
Dave Hufstetier, Building Official