1748 Ocean Grove 14-DRTV-1003 LETTER 10.29.20141
October 29, 2014
Tree Removal Without a Permit
To whom it may concern,
The city contacted the property owner of 1748 Ocean Grove Drive, Terri Ray, with a letter dated
October 23, 2014 regarding trees removed from her property without a permit. Subsequent
conversations with Ms. Ray have led to the city updating the previously mentioned letter.
Ms. Ray has admitted that another tree has been removed from the rear of the property that staff
was not aware of at the time of the first letter. Ms. Ray provided a photo of the tree in the rear yard
prior to removal. This photo was used to aid estimations of the size of the tree for mitigation
purposes. Staff estimates the size to be 11 inches in diameter at breast height. Ms. Ray also
provided photos of the tree in the front yard that were more recent than those used in the first letter.
Those photos showed further reductions in live growth on the tree compared to those used by staff
in the previous letter. Based on those more recent photos of the tree, staff has determined that tree
removed in the front yard was dead or dying and posing a potential hazard related to its condition
and severe lean. This determination results in no mitigation required for the 16 inch tree removed
from the front yard.
While the 16 inch tree could have been taken down with no mitigation necessary, the removal of
the 11 inch tree in the rear yard and the subsequent pool permit means that the conditions of the
previous letter still apply. A Tree Removal Permit is required with a fee twice the normal
application fee and mitigation will be assessed at twice the normal rate. In addition, no permitted
work may take place until the Tree Removal Permit is approved.
Derek W. Reeves
Zoning Technician
Attached: After Pictures
Before Pictures
Tree Removal Permit
City of Atlantic Beach
Building and Zoning
800 Seminole Road
Atlantic Beach, Florida 32233
Telephone (904) 247-5826
Fax (904) 247-5845
http://www.coab.us
2
Picture taken by staff on 10/28/14. Shows front yard of 1748 Ocean Grove Dr.
3
Picture taken by staff 10/28/14. Shows recently cut stump with sawdust still on surface.
4
Picture dated July 2013 from Google Street View. Shows live growth on tree.
5
Picture dated 2012 from Bing Maps. Shows extensive growth on tree.
6
Picture from MLS listing in 2014. Shows tree in rear yard that was removed.
7
Picture provided by Terri Ray taken in September of 2014. Shows decline in live growth.