1907 Sherry Drive North TREE20-0047 (Heritage Tree) FINALLocation Map
1907 N. Sherry Dr.
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
STAFF REPORT
AGENDA ITEM: Resolution No. 21-02
DATE SUBMITTED: December 23, 2020
SUBMITTED BY: Amanda Askew, Director of Planning and Community
Development
MEETING DATE: January 11, 2021
SUMMARY:
The Environmental Stewardship Committee has nominated a landmark 46.5-inch-diameter Live
Oak tree in the front yard on private property at 1907 North Sherry Drive as a Heritage Tree. The
tree is located on the Southwest corner of the property. The Live Oak has a diameter of 46.5 inches.
The property owner has requested the tree be named “The Gaby Tree”. This project is being carried
out in connection with the City’s on-going designation as a Tree City USA. A ceremony is planned
for January 15, 2021 celebrating the designation is being planned at the City’s 2021 Arbor Day
observance event.
According to City Code Section 23-41 (a) “The City Commission may by resolution designate
individual heritage trees.” Although a Heritage Tree designation does not prevent a tree from ever
being removed, it makes it more difficult and costly to remove. Protected trees must be mitigated
at a rate of one inch for every two inches removed; a Heritage Tree must be mitigated at a rate of
one inch for every inch removed.
On private property, heritage trees are voluntarily nominated by the property owner. According to
the City of Atlantic Beach Tree Protection Code, the City Commission may by resolution designate
individual heritage trees on private or public property. Heritage trees are defined as “any tree
determined by the City Commission to be of unique or intrinsic value due to its age, size, species
and/or cultural, ecological or historical significance or some other contribution to the city’s
character, specifically including all cypress, live oak, and magnolia trees with a diameter 30 inches
or greater.
The proposed Heritage Tree in question is estimated to be approximately 186 years old. It is
selected because of its intrinsic value due to its size and age.
RECOMMENDATION: That the Commission approve Resolution No. 21-02 designating a
46.5 inch-diameter Live Oak at 1907 North Sherry Drive as a
Heritage Tree.
BUDGET: Less than $150 on a marker identifying the Heritage Tree
ATTACHMENTS: 1. Resolution No. 21-02
2. Photograph of tree
3. Location map
REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER: ____________________________________________
RESOLUTION NO. 21-02
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA,
DESIGNATING A 46.5 INCH-DIAMETER LIVE OAK TREE AT 1907 NORTH
SHERRY DRIVE AS A HERITAGE TREE.
WHEREAS, Atlantic Beach’s tree canopy beautifies our community and improves the lives of
our citizens and visitors by bringing nature to our urban environment and preserving environmental
sanctuaries for connection with the natural world; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Atlantic Beach desires to be a good steward of
the tree canopy, particularly specimens of physical and historical significance; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission has the ability to designate individual trees as Heritage Trees
according Section 23-41 (a) of the Atlantic Beach Code of Ordinances; and
WHEREAS, the Heritage Tree designation runs with the property and doubles the mitigation ratio
if the tree is ever removed; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission created the Environmental Stewardship Committee in 2017 to
serve as curators of our environment, thus creating a legacy for future generations of our community; and
WHEREAS, as its 2021 Arbor Day project, the Environmental Stewardship Committee has
nominated a 46.5-inch-diameter Live Oak Tree on North Sherry Drive as a Heritage Tree; and
WHEREAS, the nominated tree has a 146.08-inch circumference and is approximately 186 years
old, and was selected because of its intrinsic value due to its age and size; and
WHEREAS, the nominated tree is named “The Gaby Tree”; and
WHEREAS, the Environmental Stewardship Committee will hold an event on January 15, 2020
commemorating Arbor Day and celebrating the Heritage Tree designation.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the City Commission of the City of Atlantic Beach
hereby designates a 46.5-inch-diameter Live Oak on North Sherry Drive as a “Heritage Tree.”
This Resolution shall take effect immediate upon its passage and adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City of Atlantic Beach, on this 11th day of January, 2021.
_____________________________
Ellen Glasser, Mayor
Attest:
____________________________
Donna L. Bartle, City Clerk
Approved as to form and correctness:
_____________________________
Brenna M. Durden, City Attorney