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Home My WebLink About10012001 TREE CiTY OF SEBASTIAN ..... AP;PROVED TREE AND LANDSCAPE ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 1, 2001 Chairman Cardinale called the meeting to order at 5:33 P.M. The Pledge of Allegiance was said. R__0LL CALL: PRESENT: Beverly T-Bell(a) Anne Dann (late) Chmn. Cardinale Ruth Davies Lynn Albury Larry Birchmeyer(a) VC Cathy Fulton ALSO PRESENT: Mark Sanders, Parks Department Foreman Ann Brack, Recording Secretary John Almada, Advisor APPROVAL OF MiNUTE.~; The secretary noted an error on the date - it should be September 17, 2001. Larry Birchmeyer referred to page 4, the first paragraph, and requested that the following addition be made: The plans seem to indicate differently, that they are approved for staying. MOTION by VC Fulton/Chmn. Cardinale I'll make a motion that we approve the minutes with the minor corrections on page 4, the minutes of September 17, 2001. A voice vote was taken. $ - 0, motion carried. ANNOU~EMENT~ VC Fulton announced that the planting project at the Chamber of Commerce went very well on Saturday. She noted that it was rainy and the Scoutmaster attended without the Scouts. She further noted that the west side of the building is newly landscaped, and the next project is for the front and the east side of the building. Lynn Albury gave information on the 6th annual County Sweep Cleanup on October 27, 2001. TREE AND LANDSCAPE ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF OCTOBER 1, 2001 OLD BUSINESS: A. LANDSCAPECODE There was discussion about different types of palm trees including Queen and Royal. It was established that Sabal Palmetto (Cabbage Palms) would be the only native species found on unimproved property in Sebastian. Anne Dann suggested establishing a list of trees that would not be prohibited, but would "not be recommended", She noted that some of them would be invasive, and the list that she has access to is comprised of different types, some of which are palms. There was also discussion about the type of tree replacements that are being used and the subject of Queen Palms was discussed extensively, The replacement of lost "canopy" was discussed, and replacing removed trees with "like or better" trees or with "like or better" canopy, Larry Birchmeyer submitted his collective suggestions for changes to the Tree Protection and Landscape Code as follows: Section 54-3-14.3 - Insert "and Protected" after the word Specimen in the Title. Change the paragraph in this Section to read: The removal of a protected or specimen tree requires a removal permit from the Building Director. A protected tree is any existing tree with a 4" or greater diameter at 4.5' above existing grade (hereafter known as diameter at breast height - DBH). A specimen tree is any existing tree with a 20" or greater DBH. Prior to the issuance of a removal permit, the applicant shall identify the species and number of each to be removed and shall consider alternative site plans to determine if the protected or specimen trees in question can be saved. The following criteria for removal and replacement of protected and specimen trees shall be used: A- J: Unchanged K - L: Delete Last paragraph: Delete and replace with: Upon finding that one of the above criteria has been met, the Building Director shall issue a permit for the removal of the protected and/or specimen trees. The trees approved for removal that are within the legal front, side or rear setbacks shall be replaced by the property owner as follows: Protected trees: Two (2) 15 gallon or larger, Florida #1 grade or better for each tree removed, of the same type removed, on the same property, up to the limits of good forestry practice. Excess trees shall be planted on public TREE AND LANDSCAPE ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF OCTOBER 1, 2001 property of mutual consent between the City of Sebastian and the property owner. Specimen trees: On a diameter inch or inch basis, 15 gallon or larger, Florida #1 grade Or better of the same type removed. Example: If a 21" diameter at breast height (DBH) tree is approved for removal and the typical 15 gallon replacement has a 1.5" DBH, 14 fifteen gallon trees (14 trees x 1.5" = 21") must be replanted. If good forestry practice limits the property to ten (10) trees, four (4) shall be planted on public property agreed to by the owner and the City. Sabal palms (cabbage palm) (Sabal palmetto): Sabal palms having clear trunk (CT) of 6' or greater (measured from existing grade to bottom of lowest fronds) shall be replaced one for one by Sabal palms having at least 6' CT. No Certificate of Occupancy (CO) shall be issued for any residential or commercial structure until and unless the above requirements are met. There was some discussion about including a definition for "good forestry practice", Mark Sanders noted that there are three new parks designated for the new fiscal year, Filbert St,, Englar Drive, and the Good Guys property on indian River Drive. There was further discussion about many parks in the City needing additional trees. There was also more discussion about the size and type of replacement trees being utilized when protected or specimen trees are removed. Section 54-3-14.8 A, Grubbing- Unchanged B. Tree Removal and Land Clearing Permit. Delete "and which provides the city with reasonable assurances of compliance with the minimum tree requirements and the protection of historic or specimen trees or mangroves". 8&9.- Delete COMMERCIAL TREE REQUIREMENTS $,ectio n, 54-3-14.10 A. Grubbing- Unchanged B. Tree Removal and Land Clearing. Second paragraph - add "specimen" after "protected", and before "historic". 1 - 7, 9. Unchanged TREE AND LANDSCAPE ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF OCTOBER 1, 2001 8, 11, 12. Delete 10. (New) All protected and specimen tress removed with a permit that are within the legal front, side or rear setbacks shall be replaced in compliance with Section 54-3-14.3. At this point, Larry referred to the City of Sebastian Application for Land Clearing and suggested the following changes: 3. b. Add: "geminata" after Quercus and before (scrub oak) c. Delete: "but excluding palm trees". It was also recommended to delete "red and black" before mangroves (include all mangroves.) There was discussion on the definition of an "ear" tree, as well as other trees on the tree list, including common names such as "Florida Holly" which seems to be interpreted as several different Species. Carrot wood tree was discussed and John Aimada noted that on the beach at Orchid Island, Carrot Wood is a recommended plant, and many are being purchased 'and planted. Prohibition of Oleander was discussed because of its poisonous attributes. The green pamphlet, The City of Sebastian Residential Tree ProteCtion Ordinance was considered, and Larry made the following suggestions: Second paragraph: Add "geminata" after Quercus; delete "and excluding all palm trees". Add a new section: How many trees do I have to replace and where? Place new regulations for tree replacement in this section. There was a suggestion that the landscape and tree requirement portion of the homebuilders packet should be printed on green paper to attract attention. There was discussion on how to assemble and present all of the changes to City Council, City Manager, and Department heads. There was discussion on how to get the tree and landscaping requirements directly to the homeowner, and how to get the local builders involved in promoting these ideaS. VC Fulton noted that she contacted Michael Humphrey who is with the Florida Division of Forestry and asked for the difference between an Urban Forester and a County Forester. She noted that there is a County Forester in Vero Beach, Joseph Spataro, and one in Ft. Pierce. She passed out copies of her correspondence on this matter. Ruth Davies gave information about her experience of saving existing trees and plants on the lot where her house was built and the fact that no additional landscaping was needed. 4 TREE AND LANDSCAPE ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF OCTOBER 1, 2001 After some discussion, it was determined to complete the process of making changes to the code, and when that is completed, a new project could be to educate and influence the builders for their cooperation. As John Almada needed to leave the meeting, he suggested having a seminar in council chambers and setting up a model building site to educate interested parties in the benefits of the landscape cOde with the proposed changes. The secretary informed the Board members of the letters that were sent. Anne Dann noted a recent conversation with Dan Culbert after the newspaper article appeared, MOTION by Dann/Fulton I move that we accept the additions and changes to the Code as listed by Larry tonight, to try to put them into the new Code. Roll call: Chmn. Cardinale - yes Larry Birchmeyer(a) - yes Anne Dann o yes Ruth Davies - yes VC Fulton - yes The vote was 5 - 0, Motion carried, MEMBER MATTERS: The members agreed to collect all suggested code changes, organize them for comparison at the next meeting for finalization. Chmn. Cardinale noted that the Boy Scouts will be working on the planted areas around City Hall on October 13, 2001, Chmn. Cardinale adjourned the meeting at 7:23 P.M, (10/4/01 ab)