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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05231994 City of Sebastian 1225 MAIN STREET [3 SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 32958 TELEPHONE (407) .589-5330 D FAX (407) 589-5570 AGENDA SEBASTIAN CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING AND ZONING COIVIMISSION SPECIAL jOINT WORKSHOP MONDAY, MAY 23, 1994 - 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBF~S 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA ALL PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND INFORMATION ON iTEMS BELOW MAlt' BE iNSPECTED iN THE OFFICE OF THE CiTY CLERK, CITY HALL, 1225 MAiN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLOR]DA. PURPOSE: Review Proposed Tree Ordinance Language 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL 4. WORKSHOP ~TEM 94.122/ 93.064/ 92.317 Review Proposed Tree Ordinance Language (Index, 5/4/94 Minutes, Director of Community Development Transmittal dated 4/27/94, Proposed 0-94-05, Proposed 0-94-06, Homeowners Packet, Cartwright Letter dated 5/1/94 w/ Proposed Language, Starck Letter dated 4/29/94 w/ Proposed Language, Jordan Letter dated 5/17/94) 5. ADJOURN ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL ANY DECISION MADE BY THE CITY COUNCIL WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER CONSIDERED AT THIS MEETING (OR HEARING) WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE HEARD. (286.0105 F.S.) IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA), ANYONE WHO NEEDS A SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION FOR THIS MEETING SHOULD CONTACT THE CITY'S ADA COORDINATOR AT 589-5330 AT LEAST 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THIS MEETING. INDEX PROPOSED TREE ORDINANCE AGENDA PACKET May 4, 1994 Minutes - Director of Community Proposed ordinance No. Proposed ordinance No. Homeowners Cartwright Pg. Five ....................... PG 1 Development Transmittal ........ PGS 3-4 0-94-05 ....................... PGS 5-? 0-94-06 ....................... PGS 9-22 Packet .................................... PGS 23-30 & EXHIBITS Proposal .................................. PGS 31-33 Starck Proposal ...................................... PGS 35-54 Jordan Letter ........................................ PG 55 city Council Workshop May 4, 1994 Page Pive 93. 064 Discuss ProPosed ~ ~ 0-94--05 and ~-9~~' Transmittal date.~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 0-94-06. ~omeowller ' s PackeT~ Mayor Firtion suggested T. hat, in light of recently submitted language amendments, ~he proposed ordinances be sent back =o Planning and Zoning. City Council discussion followed. The Direc~cor of Community Development noted T. he options suggested in ~_he language submitted by a resident had been looked at before by a previous City Council. Donna Starck, 541 Melrose Lane, Sebastian, addressed City Council on her submitted language amendments and read a prepared statement. Mr. Oberbeck was excused from 9:27 p.m. to 9:29 p.m. TAPE II - SIDE II (9:33 p.m.) Ms. Starck continued her prepared statement. Wally Kramer, Micco, spoke on the menace of location of pine trees adjacent to homes. Charles Stachel, 1698 Coral Reef Street, Sebastian, urged returning the ordinances to Planning and Zoning to prevent clear cutting. City Council discussion followed. 94.123 Following some discussion, it was ~he consensus of of City Council to conduct a workshop with Planning and Zoning. The City Manager said staff will schedule the meeting and come back to City Council wi~h a recommendation. ¢City ~ Transmittal Norris Letter ~ ~ Draw~nqs) The City Attorney said only a general consensus was needed at this time and that an agreement will be brought back with an indemnification clause. City Council concurred and the City Manager said the appropriate documentation would be brought back to City Council. 5 City of Sebastian' 1225 MAIN STREET D SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 32958 TELEPHONE (407) S89-5330 13 FAX (407) 589-5570 SUBJECT: ORDINANCE 0-94-05 AND 0-94-06 REGARDING TREE PROTECTION ORDINANCE Approval For Submittal By: City Manager ) Dept. Origin: Community D~ve~opment ) ) Date Submitted: 04/27/94 ) ) For Agenda Of: Q5/04/94. ) ) Exhibits: ) 1. Ordinance 0-94-05 ) 2. Ordinance 0-94-06 ) 3. Homeowner's Packet ) ( BC,~ EXPENDITURE AMOUNT APPROPRIATION REQUIRED: BUDGETED: REQUIRED: N/A N/A N/A SUMMARY STATK~$NT At its regular workshop meeting of July 7, 1993 the City Council reviewed the third draft of the tree protection ordinance and sent it to the City Attorney for preparation of an ordinance. Ordinance 0-94-05 amends the landscape ordinance in order not to be in conflict with the tree protection ordinance (0-94-06). The following items are the basic changes to the tree protection ordinance: The elimination of specimen trees (20 inch in diameter or greater) to obtain approval from City Council prior to removal. Minimum of I 1/2 inches in diameter, measure between 4 and 6 feet above the grade, for any trees to meet the minimum requirement for residential construction. A homeowner's packet relating to the protection of trees during land preparation for construction. Page 2 ! Since there is a new member of City Council and the time delay to have this ordinance for first reading, .staff felt =hat it was necessary to place this back on the workshop meeting for any corrections. · ~ECOMMENDED ACTION. Move to set the first reading for Ordinance 0-94-05 and Ordinance 0-94-06 on May 25, 1994 and public hearing for June 8, 1994. · ORDINANCE NO. 0-94-05 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, INDIAN RIVER COUNTY,'FLORIDA, AMENDING A~TICLE XiII, OF THE LAND DEVELOPHENT CODE OF T~ CITY OF SEBASTIAN, PERTAINING TO LANDSCAPE REGULATIONS, BY DELETING PORTIONS OF SEC. 20A- 13.2; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the City of Sebastian City Council has adopted Ordinance 0-93-06, pertaining to tree protection within the City of Sebastian, and being applicable to all real property located within .the City of Sebastian; and WHEREAS, the provisions of Ordinance 0-93-06 are duplicitive of the requirements of Article XIII, Sec. 20A-13.2 of the Land Development Code of the City of Sebastian. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Sebastian, Indian River County, Florida, as follows: SECTION 1. Landscape _Requlations %Dend~. Article XIII, Sec. 20A-13.2, of the Land Development Code of the City of Sebastian, pertaining to the applicability of the landscape regulations is hereby amended as follows: "Sec. 20A-13.2. Applicability. For all new construction other than single-family or two- family residences, the minimum standards for landscaping set forth in this article shall be applicable to all storage, parking, display, sales or accessory vehicular use areas when created or used in conjunction with new construction, enlargement requiring updated code compliance." remodeling or Section 2. CONFLICTS. All ordinances or ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed. parts of Section 3. CODIFICATION. It is the intention of the City Council of the City of Sebastian, Indian River County, Florida, and it is hereby provided that the provisions of this ordinance shall become and be made a part of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Sebastian, Florida; %hat the sections of this ordinance may be renumbered or relettered to accomplish such intention; and%he word "Ordinance" may be changed to "Section," "Article" or other appropriate designations. Section 3. SEFERABILITY. In the event a court of competent jurisdiction shall hold or determine that any part of this ordinance is invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions of this ordinance shall not be affected and it shall be presumed that the city Council of the City of Sebastian did not intend to enact such invalid or unconstitutional provision. It shall further be assumed that the City Council would have enacted the remainder of this ordinance without said invalid and unconstitutional provision, thereby causing said remainder to remain in full force and effect. ~9_G~=~D_~. EFFECTIVE DATE. This ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its adoption. The foregoing ordinance was moved for adoption by Council- member Councilmember vote, T.he vote was as follows= The motion was seconded by and, upon being put to a Mayor Lonnie R. Powell Vice-Mayor Frank Oberbeck Councilmember Carolyn Corum Councilmember Norma J. Damp Councilmember Robert Freeland The Mayor thereupon declared ~his ordinance duly passed and adopted this day of , 1994. CITY OF ~EBABTIAN, FLORIDA ATTEST: By: Lonnie R. Powell, Mayor Kathryn M. O'Halloran, CMC/AAE City Clerk I HEREBY CERTIFY that notice of public hearing on this ordinance was published in the Yero Beach Press Journal as required by State Statute, that one public hearing was held on this ordinance at 7:00 p.m. on the __day of , 199 , and the following said public hear-lng this ordinance was passed-~y the City Council. Kathryn M. O'Halloran, CMC/AAE city Clerk Approved as to form and content: Charles Ian Nash, City Attorney ORDINANCE NO. 0-94-06 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN. INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, AHENDiNGARTICLE XIV OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN. PERTAINING TO TREE PROTECTION, IN ITS ENTIRETY; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES INCONFLICT HEREWITH; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Commission for the City of Sebastian has met and approved the proposed amendment to the existing Tree Protection Ordinance for the City of sebastian; and WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the proposed amendment to the Tree Protection Ordinance of the City of Sebastian is in the best interest of the citizens of the City of Sebastian and will promote public health, safety and welfare, through better control of flooding, soil conservation, air pollution, and noise; by encouraging reduced energy consumption; by conserving water; and in general make the City of Sebastian a healthier, safer, and more beautiful place in which to live. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, iNDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, that: SECTION 1. TREE PROTECTION ORDINANCE AMENDMENT. Article XIV of the Land Development Code of the City of sebastian, pertaining to tree protection, is hereby amended in its entirety, as follows: "Sec. 20A-14.1. Purpose, intent and applicability. A. Purpose. The purpose of this article is to establish protective regulations for trees within the City in order to: 1. Better control problems of flooding, soil 3. Conserve water; and 4. Make Lhe City a healthier, safer, and more beautiful place in which to live. B. Intent. The intent of this article is to encourage the protection of a maximum number of trees. It is further the intent of this article to encourage, in particular, the protection of native trees of the City. C. Applicability. This article shall apply to all real property lying within the City, except: me Public protection - If any tree shall be determined to be in a hazardous or dangerous condition, so as to endanger the public health, welfare or safety and requires immediate removal without delay, verbal authorization may be given by the director and a written per, it shall be issued after the fact. State of public emergency - During the period of an emergency, involving natural disasters such as a hurricane, tropical storm, wind storm, freeze, flood or any other act of God, the requirements of this article may be temporarily waived by the City Manager, or designee, so that the requirements of this article will in no way hamper private or public efforts to restore order in the city. Nurseries - All licensed plant or tree nurseries, or active groves shall be exempt from the terms and provisions of this article. This exemption, however, only relates to those trees planted and growing on'the premises of the licensee, which are so planted and growing for the purpose of sale to the general public, or otherwise in the ordinary course of the licensee's business. All trees classified as prohibited or undesirable exotics according to Section 20A-14.17. "Definitions". Tree removal by public utilities as necessary to fulfill their function. Sec. 20A-14.2. Administration. Environmental Administrator. The Director of Community Development shall be the Environmental Administrator, and shall be responsible for administering the provisions of this article and 2 shall direct, regulate and control the protection of all trees growing now and hereafter in T_he City. Sec. 20A-14.3. Tree protection prior to development. A. Destruction approval. TO. prevent the unnecessary destruction of trees on vacant, platted lot(s) where a building permit or subdivision approval has not been issued, the destruction of any tree(s), on any one parcel of real property within the city, shall be prohibited, without first obtaining a permit as required within this article. B. Land Clearing or Grubbing. It shall be unlawful to clear or grub land within the City without first having obtained a permit as provided in this section. C. Tree replacement. All trees that are illegal removed, or effectively damaged causing decline and eventual destruction, shall be replaced in accordance with Section 20A-14.15. D. Replacement cost. The cost of replacing tree(s)s shall be incurred by the party that damaged or removed the tree(s). 2. Single-family and two-family requirements. Prior to a building permit being issued for a single-family or two-family residence, the applicant shall indicate the minimum number of trees, pursuant to Section 20A-14.4 (B) (1) (g) of this Article. All trees that.are retained or installed to meet this requirement shall be verified prior to the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy. Sec. 20A-14.4. Application for Permits. A. This section shall apply to all new single-family & two family properties. For all new construction other than single- family or two-family residences, the minimum standards set forth in Article XIIi shall apply. Also, any person desiring a permit to clear, grub or otherwise similarly disturb property within the city limits of Sebastian shall make written application to the department on proper forms provided by the director. The application form must be accurately completed and signed. The applicant/contractor and owner, if other than applicant, must acknowledge an awareness and understanding of the requirements of this article, relating to the protection of trees during land preparation for construction and construction activities. The completed application shall be submitted with a filing fee as established by, resolution by, the City Council. The application shall be reviewed by the director or designee, and signed signifying approval, approval with modifications, or denial based on the pertinent criteria set forth in Section 20A-14.10. "Criteria for Permit Issuance". Permit applications and procedures. A completed "Application for Land Clearing, Grubbing, or Tree Removal~ form shall be required before any work is done on any lot. The application shall be accompanied by a survey, which may be prepared by ~he contractor, and any of ~he following information and documentation deemed appropriate, as described below: 1. Land Clearing or Grubbing., A legible, scaled drawing showing property boundaries, physical or natural features, and limits of ~he proposed work; A statement or,he purpose for clearing and/or grubbing; A general description of existing vegetation, topography, and any surface waters present; A description of the method of debris disposal; .e. A description of the method(s) of soil erosion and sedimentation control to be undertaken during earthwork activities and the means and ti~ing of soil stabilization subsequent to the completion of the clearing and grubbing activities. f. Trees to be retained. ......... ~..,.g ..... L.;T~:92~i. Aimu~...o~_umber of.trees shall be according to the lot size, noted below. The minimum height of each tree must be at least six feet (6') and having a minimum one and one-half (1 1/2) inch diameter measured between four (4) & six (6) feet above the grade level. Exception: Citrus trees may be used provided that none is less than four (4) feet in height, and shall not exceed three (3) or 25%, whichever is greater, of the required minimum number of trees on the lot. ¸. MINIMUM TREE REQUiREME~S FOR RESiDENTIAL BUILDING LO~S Lot Size:$~uar~Feet Minimum Number ~f.Trees To 9,999 10,000 To 15,999 16,000 To 19,999 20,000 To 29,999 30,000 To 39,999 40,000 To More Five (5) Trees Seven (7) Trees Twelve (12) Trees Fifteen (15) Trees Eighteen (18) Trees Twenty (20) Trees If trees must be added to the lot to conform with the requirements of this article, trees shall be supplied meeting: (1) Florida Grade Number i or better nursery standards established by the State of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs. Sec. 20A-14.5. Prohibitions. A. It shall be unlawful to remove (as defined in Section 20A-14.17. "Definitions"), cut down, damage, poison or in any other manner destroy or cause to be destroyed any trees or mangroves covered by the terms of this article, except in accordance with the provisions of this article. All mangrove trimming or removal activities are subject to state permitting procedures. B. Attachments. it shall be unlawful to attach anything to a tree trunk or stem other than protective bindings, braces or other similar noninjurious materials. C. Prohibited or undesirable exotic trees and assessment of costs for removal. No person shall plant, or cause to be planted or permit to be planted anywhere within the corporate limits of the city of Sebastian, including any public street or right-of-way, the following trees: A. Ear Tree (Enterolobium cyclocarpum); B. Chinaberry (Melia azedarch); C. Australian Pine (Casuarina spp.); Punk Tree or Cajeput Tree (Melaleuca quinquernervia or Melaleuca leucadendron); Brazilian Pepper (Schinus terebin~hifolius). Sec. 20A-14.6. Whenever T_he director, after investigation, determines ~hat any one of ~he prohibited or undesirable trees has been planted within~he City, ~he director shall, within ten (10) days, cause to be served upon the owner or occupant of the real property upon which ~he subject trees are located, notice that such trees are in violation of this section. if after service of the notice provided for herein, and following any requested hearing provided for herein, it is determined that a violation does in fact exist, the property owner shall thereafter have fifteen (15) days in which to remove the tree(s), or the director, shall have the trees removed and charge the costs of removal thereof to the real property owner. Individual Tree Removal permit requirement. No person, directly or indirectly, shall cut down, destroy, remove, relocate or effectively destroy through damaging, any tree situated on any property, or clear any lot or acreage located within the City, without first obtaining a permit as provided in this article. Sec. 20A-14.7. Tree removal permit exemptions. Prohibited or undesirable trees, as defined in Sec. 20A-14.17. "Definitions", must be indicated on the survey but are considered prohibited trees (or undesirable exotics) and are subject only to a verification inspection by the department ~rior to removal. Sec. 20A-14.$. Application for individual tree removal permit other than new construction. A. Permit Requirement. Permits for removal, relocation or replacement of individual trees or groups of trees covered in this section shall be obtained by making application for permit to the director. B. The application shall be accompanied by a written statement indicating the reasons for removal, relocation or replacement of trees and one (1) copy of an accurate and legible Site Plan, drawn to the largest practicable scale, to show the following: Location of the tree(s) that are being removed or relocated. Sec. 20A-14.9. Location of the trees remaining or replaced to meet the minimum requirements of Section 20A-14.4 B i g. Permit Fee. Anon-refundable permit fee, to be 'established by resolution of the' City Council, shall be applied to each acre or fraction thereof to be inspected. Such a fee is deemed necessary for the purpose of processing the application and making the necessary inspection for administration and enforcement of this article. Sec. 20A-14.10. Criteria for permit issuance. The issuance of a "Land Clearing, Grubbing or Tree Removal" permit by the director, as required by this Article, shall be based on the following criteria: The need for vegetation removal on the property for purposes of land surveying or land preparation for development or other economic uses; Whether protected trees either do not exist on the site, or do not need to be removed for construction purposes; Pose a safety hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic or, due to proximity to existing or proposed structures, threaten to cause disruption to public services and public easements; Pose a safety hazard to buildings; Are diseased trees or in condition weakened by age, storm, fire, insect attack or other injury that pose a danger of falling and a safety hazard to people, buildings or utilities and other improvements on lot or parcel of land; The extent to which tree removal is likely to result in damage to the property of other owners, public or private, including damage to lakes, ponds, streams, or rivers, through runoff or erosion; Topography of and relief to the land where the tree or mangrove is located and the future effect of tree removal on erosion, soil moisture retention and the diversion or increased or decreased flow of surface water, and coordination with the city master drainage plan or similar plans adopted by City Council; 7 Good forestry practices, i.e., ~he number of healthy trees that a given parcel of land will support, and the number and density of trees and mangroves existing elsewhere within the neighborhood, on improved or unimproved property; Necessity %0 remove~rees in order to construct proposed improvements to allow economic use of the proper~y. J. Whether the tree has been designated a historic tree. k. The species and size oft he tree(s) proposed for removal; The exWcent of any damage or hardship which would result to the applicant from a denial of the requested permit. Sec. 20A-14.11. Application review. A. General Review Procedures. The director shall act as soon as practicable but shall have no more than ten (10) working days after receipt of an application filed pursuant to this section ~-in which to grant or deny the requested permit. If the director denies an "application, the reason(s) for such denial shall be specified to the applicant in writing. B. Site plan requirement. In the case where a site plan is to be submitted, the application shall be submitted required simultaneously as part of the site plan application, and the time of approval shall be..the same as required for site plan review. Sec. 20A-14.12. Appeal from denial of permit or other action of the director, penalty, and remedy. bY a decision of the director made pursuant to this artzcle may appeal to a quorum of the planning and zoning commission sitting as a grievance board. Final appeal may be achieved by appearance before the City Council or a civil court, as provided by Sec. 20A-14.12.C. B. Penalty. Violation of any of the provisions of this article or the conditions of a permit issued hereunder shall be unlawful, any person violating any of the provisions of this article or the conditions of a permit issued hereunder shall, upon conviction, be punished as provided in Section 1-10 of the City Code of Ordinances, and until such violation is rectified, the building and/or land clearing permits issued in accord with site plan and tree protection plan approvals shall be rescinded. .Further..,~.~.whene~er~ ~..~.~i0.1ation,.shall..be determined to exist, the building and/or 'land clearing permits issued in accord with site plan and tree protection plan approvals shall be rescinded and d~velopmen~ work o? the proPerty.shall, be sto~ped until the v~olation is rectified and the permit(s) is/are reinstated by the City. In any appeal under this article, each individual tree or mangrove so removed, damaged or destroyed, will constitute a separate offense. C. Civil remedy available. In addition to ~--he penalties provided inn Section 1-10 of the City's Code of Ordinances, any person who violates any provisions of this article shall: 1. Forfeit and pay to the City a civil penalty equal to the total value of those trees or mangroves illegally removed or damaged ~s computed by the international Society of Arborlculture Shade Tree Value Formula. Such sum shall accrue to the City and may be recovered in a civil action brought by the City. Such sum so collected shall be placed in a fund for the tree bank or city street tree program, both established by resolution of the City Council, and shall be expended for the purchase of trees for replacement in public properties within the City. Replacement of illegally removed trees or mangroves may be required as restoration in lieu of money. This replacement will be computed on an inch-for- inch basis, according to the total inches at DBH of all illegally removed trees. A combination of money and tree and/or mangrove replacement may be required. D. Other remedy. No person shall remove, cut down, damage, poison or in any other manner destroy or cause to be damaged or destroyed any tree or mangrove in violation of this article. In the event of any such violation, or imminent threat thereof, the City Manager or designee, in addition to any other remedies provided by law, may institute a suit or injunction to prevent or terminate such continuing violations. Each day any violation of any provision of this article or of any ordinance shall continue shall constitute a separate offense, except that in any case where the violation consists of a discrete act or failure to act, each violation shall constitute a separate offense. Sec. 20A-14.13. Duration of permit. Any permit issued by the City pursuant to the requirements of this article shall expire if the work authorized by the permit is not completed within six (6) months of the date of permit issuance. The holder of such an expired permit may apply for re-issue within thirty (30) days of such expiration, and the director, at his/her discretion, may cause the permit to be re-issued, waiving the fee therefore. Alternatively, application for a new permit must be made. 9 Sec. 20A-14.14. Tree Relocation by ~he City or the County. Where =he applicant for a permit has authorized ~he Ci=y to enter upon his property and remove a tree or mangrove, the CitY shall have the op=ion to relocate ~he tree or mangrove, at ~he City's expense, to publicly owned property. If ~he City does not elect to relocate such tree or mangrove, it may give the County the right to. acquire sUch tree or mangrove .at the County's expense, for relocation on other public land within the County. The relocation, either by the City or ~.he County, shall be accomplished in fifteen (15) working days of the issuance of the permit to the owner. Should the City or County fail to remove the tree or mangrove within the fifteen (15) working-day period, the permit holder shall be allowed to proceed as. provided in the permit. Sec. 20A-14.15. Tree replacement for illegally removed trees, i A. Conditions and specifications for all tree replacement requirements. I 1. Characteristics· The replacement tree(s) shall have at least equal shade potential, screening properties, and other characteristics comparable to that of the tree(s) for which a removal request has been submitted. Size. Replacement of illegally removed tree(s) shall meet a size requirement providing for a standard of one-inch (1") DBH removed, unless otherwise agreed upon by both the director and the applicant. Any number of trees may be utilized to meet the inch-for-inch requirement, provided that acceptable spacings and design are maintained. Species. The city may require that the species of the replacement tree(s) be the same as those for which removal is being requested, or may require such replacement trees to be of a species native to the East Central Florida area. Acceptable exotic or "naturalized" tree(s) and palms may be used to meet replacement requirements. A list of species which meet these requirements is available from the department. Minimum standards. At the time of planting, each replacement tree must have a minimum overall height of ten feet (10') and a minimum trunk diameter of two inches (2") measured .six (6") inches above grade level. Ail such trees shall be of Florida Department of Agriculture Nursery Grade Standard (quality) Number i or better. 10 Waivers of replacement tree(s) specifications. The planning and zoning commission may waive the species, size or Minimum standards specifications if the applicant can demonstrate tha~ ~he current market conditions are such tha~ tree(s) meeting these specifications are not readily available. Substitute tree(s) allowed unde= this waiver sect/on must have the approval of the director. Sec. 20A-14.16. Establishment. A. Any and all trees planted, replaced or relocated in compliance with this article must be maintained in a healthy, living condition after planting. Replacements that have not become established, have declined to an unhealthy condition to such a degree that survival is not probable, or have died, must be replaced. Such replacements must continue un~il a tree is established at the approved location, or if repea~ed failures or other factors indicate that ~he specified location is unsuitable, at a location approved by the director. 'Sec. 20A-14.17. Definitions. The following words and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to ~hem in this section: City shall mean the incorporated City of Sebastian, Indian River County, Florida. City Manager shall mean the City Manager or designee authorized to perform one or more of the duties of the City Manager, pursuant to this article. Crown shall mean all branch parts including all stems, twigs and foliage. Department shall mean the Community Development Department. Diameter At Breast Height (DBH) shall mean the standard measurement of the diameter, in inches, of a single-stemmed tree measured at four-and-one-half (4 1/2') feet above grade. The DBH of a multi- stemmed tree shall equal the sum total of the diameter of all stems measured at 4 1/2' above grade. Director shall mean the Director of the community Development Department, or an employee authorized by the Director to perform one or more of the duties of the Director, pursuant to this article. Dripline shall mean an imaginary line along the ground which conforms to the perimeter of the crown of a tree as projected 11 verti, cally to ~he ground. Existing Diameter At Breast diameter measured in inches protected trees existing on a site prior to the beginning of development on the site. EDBH shall not include any trees determined by the director to be a prohibited species, dead or in a declining condition, which would warrant their removal. Height (EDBH) shall mean the total m · at 4 1/2' feet above grade of all Hazardous Tree shall mean a tree that, in the opinion of the director, constitutes a hazard to life or has a significant potential to cause injury to persons or damage to property as the tree is in i~minent danger of falling, or is otherwise considered bya representative of the department to be or to create a hazard. (i.e., a dead, diseased, broken, split, cracked, leaning and uprooted trees). A hazardous tree shall also include a tree .harboring communicable diseases or insects. Historic Tree shall mean a tree(s) which has been found to be a notable historic interest to the City, because of its age, type, size or historic association with the community and has been so designated by resolution of the City Council, and the City Clerk shall keep apermanent record of all trees so designated. Land Clearing shall"m~n"'theremoval by any means of any type of vegetation or trees from land. ........... -i-M~grov~-~Ti~'~ah~any.~"ori.~all'of theprotected species ofa~uatic woody plants listed by the State of Florida'DePartment of Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture and Consuer Affairs. Native Vegetation shall mean any and all plant and tree species that are indigenous to the City of Sebastian. Prohibited or Undesirable Exotic Trees shall mean the five tree species, that if present on the site are considered to be prohibited trees (or undesirable exotics) and are subject only to a verification inspection by the department prior to removal. Under no circumstances shall any of the named tree species be deliberately introduced into the City and planted on public or private property; and any such action shall be deemed a violation of..this...article~and shall be cause for assessment of penalty and .damageS~'for~ubs~4e~._~r~ovalagainst said violator: A. Ear tree (Enterolobium cyclocarpum); Grubbing shall mean the removal of any type of rooted vegetation from land by digging, raking, dragging or otherwise disturbing the roots of such vegetation and the soil in which such roots are located. C. Australian pine (Casuarina spp.); Punk tree or cajeput tree (Melaleuca quinquernervia or Melaleuca leuoadendron); Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius) Protected Tree shall mean any tree of five (5) inches DBH (15.7 inches in circumferenoe) or greater, ~hat is not o~herwise exempted herein. Protective Barrier shall mean a physical structure, composed of material complying wi~hthe specifications and requirements or,his article which effectively limits access to a protected area. Remove or Removal shall mean any act which will cause a tree to be damaged, decline or die within a period of eighteen (18) months, e.g., damage inflicted upon the root system by heavy machinery, or by changing the natural grade above the root system or around the trunk; damage inflicted on the tree, by excessive pruning or the · application of any chemical, which permits infection or pest infestation or causes poisoning; or damage caused by other direct or indirect actions, including paving with concrete, asphalt, or other impervious material to within two (2) feet of the outside diameter of a tree. The terms "Remove or Removal", when applied to a mangrove shall mean the actual removal or causing the effective removal through damaging, poisoning or other direct or indirect actions resulting in death or decline of a mangrove, and shall also mean the removal of any part of a mangrove plant through pruning, trimming, cutting, mowing or other direct or indirect actions resulting in the removal of any part of a mangrove plant. Root Pruning shall mean the cutting of tree roots for the purpose of moving a tree or facilitating nearby construction or landscaping. Topping shall mean the removal of vertical leader stems on trees 5" DBH or greater. Tree shall mean any self-supporting and erect, standing woody plant having at lease one well-defined stem, which together with its root system, is of a species which normally attains a minimum overall height at maturity of at least six (6') feet in the Sebastian service area, and shall include, but not be limited to the region appropriate species listed and on file with the City Clerk, as adopted by resolution of the City Council and revised as required, from time to time. Undesirable Tree (See Prohibited or Undesirable Tree.)" 13 SECTION 2. Conflict. All Ordinances or parts of Ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed. SECTION 3. Severabilitv. In the event a cour~ of competent jurisdiction shall hold or determine that any part of this Ordinance is invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the Ordinance shall not be affected and it shall be presumed that the City Council of the City of Sebastian did not intend =o enact such invalid or unconstitutional provision. It shall further be assumed that the City council would have enacted the remainder of this Ordinance without such invalid and unconstitutional provision, thereby causing said remainder to remain in full force and effect. SECTION 4. ~odifi~at/on. It is the intention of the City Council of the City of Sebastian, Indian River county, Florida, and it is hereby provided that the provisions of this Ordinance shall become and be made a part ~o the Code of Ordinances of the City of Sebastian, Florida; that the sections of this Ordinance may be renumbered or relettered =o accomplish such intention; and the word "Ordinance" may be changed to "Section," "Article" or other appropriate designations. SECTION 5. Effective Date. i~ediately upon final passage. This Ordinance shall take effect The foregoing Ordinance was moved for adoption by Council Member . The motion was seconded by Council Member and, upon being put to a vote, the vote was as follows: Mayor Arthur L. Firtion Vice-Mayor Carolyn Corum Council Member Norma J. Damp Council Member Robert Freeland Council Member Frank Oberbeck The Mayor thereupon declared this Ordinance duly passed and adopted this day of , 1994. CITY OF SEBASTIAN By: Arthur L. ~f~'~on, Mayor ATTEST: Kathryn M. O'Halloran, CMC/AAE Approved as to form and content: Charles Ian Nash, City Attorney 14 City of Sebastian 1225 MAIN STREET ~ SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 32958 TELEPHONE (407) 589-5330 ~ FAX (407) 589-5570 TREE PROTECTION HOMEOWNERS PACKET CITY OF SEBASTIAN The purpose and intent of the Sebastian Tree Protection Code is to encourage the preservation of native trees and vegetation on lots which will, in turn, preserve the wildlife which is native to our City. This will reduce the final cost of landscaping and will enhance the beauty of the home. However, the City does recognize that certain conditions will warrant the removal of trees. In that respect, you, as a homeowner, are being provided with information to assist you in making wise decisions regarding the preservation of your trees. Properly planned home landscaping does more than just please the eye. There are many large and small enhancements you can make to lend a personal touch to your home's exterior, while adding to the beauty and energy efficiency of your residence. Through wise planning, you can help save money on your energy bills while adding to the beauty and value of your home. The following information is included in this packet: Page Tree Protection Code Summary Tree Protection During Construction List of suggested trees for planting Reference material on file in Community Development Department Plant the Riqht Tree in the Right Place by FPL Landscape Planninq by FPL 3 - 4 5 - 6 7 - 8 Attached Attached PROTECTION COD~ By definition, a tree is any tree of five (5) inches in diameter or greater measured between four (4) and six (6) feet above grade level. MINIMUM TREE REQUIREMENTS FOR RESIDENTIAL BUILDING LOTS 0 to 9,999 10,000 to 15,999 16,000 to 19,999 20,000 to 29,999 30,000 to 39,999 40,000 or more Sq. Ft ......... 5 Trees Sq. Ft ......... 7 Trees Sq. Ft ........ 12 Trees Sq. Ft ........ 15 Trees Sq. Ftl ....... 18 Trees Sq. Ft ........ 20 Trees Credit for existim9 trees will be allowed based on a one-tree for one-tree basis. However, if trees must be added to the lot to conform to the' aboWe.;.requirements, the following regulations will apply: 1. Minimum overall height of six feet (6') anaa~.min~imUm._~r~nk~diameter of one and one-half inch (1 1/2") measured at four to six feet (4' to 6') above grade level. Exception: Citrus trees may be a minimum overall height of four feet (4'), and shall not exceed three (3) or 25%, whichever is greater, of the required minimum number of trees on the lot. 7.1 ~. Tr'e~c~ gng Source: Tlm Elder, Indian River Countg Forester Source: ~im Elder, Indian River CounCg Forester TREES FOR P~[a&NTTNG TN C.B:IqTR,~ FLORIDA* Size Blue Beech Bottlebrueh Southern Red Cedar Cherry Laurel S Crabapple L Bald Cypress S Flowering Dogwood M Florida EI~ Scientific Name Carpinus caroliniana Callistemon rigidus Juniperus silicicola' Prunus caroliniana Ma/us angustifolia Taxodium distichum Comus florida U/muD americana var. floridana Winged Elm Dlmus elate Golden Rain Tree Koelreuteria formosana Backberry Celtis laevigata American Bolly Ilex opaca Dahoon Bolly Jerusalem Thorn Loblolly Bay Southern Magnolia Red Mangrove Red Maple Red Mulberry Wax Myrtle Laurel Oak Live Oak Cabbage Palm Pindo. Palm Senegal Date Palm Washington Palm Sand Pine N. Fl. Slash Pine M Tulip Poplar M Chickasaw Plum M Redbud L Sweet Gum L Sycamore L Black Walnut Ilex caseins Parkinsonia eculeata Gordonia lasianthus Magnolia grandiflora Rhizophora mangle Acer rubrum Morus rubra Myrica cerifera , 9uercus laurifolia Quercus virginiana Sabal palmetto Butia capitata Phoenix reclinata Washingtonia robusta Pinus clausa Pinus elliottii var. elliottii Liriodendron tulipifera Prunus angustifolia Cercis canadensis Liquidambar styraciflua Paltanus occidentalis Juglans nigra S = Small Mature Size (up to 20 feet in height) M = Medium Mature Size (20 feet to 60 feet in height) L - Large Mature Size (60 feet to 100 feet in height) *Central Florida - Ocala south to Punta Gorda and Fort Pierce Better suited for this area. Source: Tree Protection Manual for Builders and Developers by Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Division of Forestry as edited by Tim Elder, Indian River County Forester FOR PLANTING ][lq NORTH FLORIDA* Mature Size Common Name Scientific Ns~e Blue Beech Bottlebrush Southern Red Cedar Cherr~y Laurel Csrpinus carolinians Callistemon rigidus Juniperus silicicola Prunus carolinians Crabapple Bald Cypress Flowering Dogwood Florida Elm Malus angustifolia Taxodiu~ distichum Comus florida Ulmus americana var. floridana Winged Elm Olmus elate Golden Rain Tree ~oelreuteria formosans Hackberry Celtic laevigata American Bolly Ilex space Dahoon Boll~ Bophornbeam Jerusalem Thorn Loblolly Bay Ilex ca.sine Ostrya virginians Packinsonia aculeata Gordonia lasiantbus L Southern Magnolia Magnolia grandiflora L Red Maple Acer rubrum M. Red Mulberry Morus rubra S Wax Myrtle Myrica cerifera Laurel Oak Live Oak Cabbage Palm Pindo Palm Quercus laurifolia Quercus virginians Sabal palmetto Butia capitata ',' L'Y.'- ......... WaShi~gt°'n Palm .,~.,iWaahingtonia robusta L Pecan Carya illinoensis M Sand Pine Pinus clause L N. Fl. Slash Pine Pinus elliottii var. elliottii L TUlipPoplar ............ Liriodendron tulipifera M Chick.asaw Plum Prunus angustifolia H Redbud Cercis canadensis M Silverbell Hale,ia diptera L Sweet Gum L Sycamore L Black Walnut Liquidambar styraciflua Paltanus occidentalis Juglans nigra S ~ Small Mature Size (up to 20 feet in height) M = Medium Mature Size (20 feet to 60 feet in height) L - Large Mature Size (60 feet to 100 feet in height) *Northern Florida'- Pensacola to Jacksonville and south to Scala. OK for this area. Source: Tree Protection Manual fo__r B_uilders and Develo~ by Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Division of Forestry as edited by Tim Elder, Indian River County Forester &t Dictionary of Trees - Florida and Sub-Tropical Forest Trees of Florida by Florida Division of Forestry Grades and Standards for Nursery Plants by Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services Grades and Standards for Nursery Plants (Palms & Trees) by Charles s. Bush Landscape Plann~ by FPL PlantFinder by Betrock Information Systems, Inc. Plantin~ a Refuqe for Wildlife by Susan Cerulean, Celeste Botha & Donna Legate for Fl. Game & Freshwater Fish Commission Nongame wildlife Program Tree Protection Manual for Builders and Develo ep~ by Florida Division of Forestry Xeriscape Plant Guide by St. Johns Water Management District 7 RFOChUreS, ue~sletteFs and Other Public~tions Sebae~ian ~mmunity ~evelopment DepaF~uent Tree City U.S.A. Bulletins How ~o Prune'¥oung Shade Trees Bow to Hire an Arb~riBt now to Save Trees During Construction Don't Top Treeal Bow l~o Write A Municipal Tree Ordinance Plant Trees for Amerioal Bow to Prevent Tree/Sign Conflicts Trees for Wildlife Bow to Kill a Tree Bow to Recycle Shade Tree Materials Keep A Great Thing Growing America Brochure Trees for America Brochure Arbor Day Foundation Publication May/June 1993 Education Materials The Woody Ornamentalist Dispelling Misperceptions about Trees Tree Training and Pruning Cities See Trees as a Resource (news article) A Conservation Plan for a Developing Area Scrub: Learning to Love It Tree Protection and Preservation during Construction The Best Way to Plant Trees Tree Planting Maintaining Tree Quality Mature Tree Care Pruning Standards for Shade Trees Pruning Field Notes Low Maintenance Landscapes Insect and Disease Problems Fertilizer Schedules for Ornamental Plants Size of Soil Balls Recommended for Deciduous Trees Information of Various Types of Trees Menu of South Florida Landscaping Trees Diseases of ~ollies Ornamental Palms of South Florida Florida Live Oak Mangroves - Florida's Coastal Trees Florida Urban Newsletter Brevard County Land Clearing and Tree Protection Regulations Johns River Water Management District Turn It Off - Water Conservation Rule Turn it Off - 50 Ways to Save Water Home Lawn Irrigation Xeriscape Plan Mayor Arthur Firtion City of Sebastian Main Street Sebastian FL ~2~58 During the past twenty four months, the proposed tree ordinance has been discussed and debated both by P & Z and Council for at least the same number of hours~ if not more; I believe it ~s at a stage where the original purpose has been blurred and we mus~ now readjust the focus in order to return to original purpose and intent of the ordinance ~,htch is to preserve e~isting t~ees. The ambiance of Sebastian'"'is disappearing ~nd we must quickly strive to preserve the residential fabric of our community before i~ is gone to pieces. Tree and native habitat protection by ordinance is necessary. ! have listed several suggestions on the attached for your constdera%ion. Above all, I maintain that this ordinance shou]d be kept simple and clear. Anyone conside~ing land purchase in Sebastian or building a home on an existing lot must kno~ that we ~re a tree protection community. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, 785 Bayharbor Terrace Sebastian FL (407) 58~ 5~07 eric 1, Mrs. Carolyn Corum Mrs. Nopma Damp Mr. Frank Oberbeck Mr. Robert Freeland '1 SUGGESTIONS - TREE PROTECTION ORDINANCE ~4-0~ I noticed a lack of consistency in the measurement of trees throughout the ordinance. ~he~e any reference is made to measurement, it should be standardized to DBH as defined on page 55 of your packet. The pages referred to belo~ are the pages in your packet. Page 44: After the words, "shall be the Environmental Administrator" I would like ~o see added~ O~ EMPLOYEE AUTHORIZED BY THE DIBECTO~ AS APP~OVE~ ~Y ~H£ CITY MANAGES. ! ~ould also like ~o see this added ~o the definition of Director on page 55. Page 4~: Paragraph f.: ! ~ould like it ~o read: T~ees to be retained, replace~ g.~ pe~. The addition these ~ords clarifies ~hat is required and'is more consistent ~ith the requirement~ appearing on pages 48 4~ Paragraph B0 Page 46: ParagraPh g~ I~'is unclear ~hether the rmquirement is a combination of replaced and ~etained trees I sugges~ ..tha~ the ~irst line read: "The minimum number of trees either retained or replaced shall be .... " Page 4~: Eliminate the entire "E~ceptions" paragraph. p~ge 50:-Section'2OA-I4.I2. A. Appeal Onto the sentence, I suggest adding "at its ne~ regularly scheduled meeting". This ~il! afford the homeowner a timely ~ppeal and not hold up construction ~hile ~aitlng to get on a P & Z agenda. Page 51l Paragraph C. This paragraph is vague, i believe both signers of the application should be equally liable for any fines or penalties. The person responsible is not always the one ~ho has signed the application; e.g., tt may be a subcontractor, in that event~ the subcontractor, not the homeowner and contractor, is the only liable party. I ~ould like to see all three responsible regardless of ~ho actually commits the violation. Page 521 Section 20A-14.15. Paragraph 1. I suggest a~ter the ~ords "...comparable to that of. the tr~e(s)" ~e simply add illegally removed and eliminate th~ rest of the paragraph. P. age 52: Paragraph 2. I believe, after .checking p~evi~us nrafts, theme a~e ~o~ds omitted. The ~epla~ement shall be · n inch ~ inch ~epla~emen~ subject ~ the ~tpim~m s~nda~ds in P~g~ph 4. This is m~s~ly likely ~YPO ~ ~o~d p~ocessing er~or sin~e the intent is the~e. P~ge 55: Paragraph 5. I believe planning & zoning should be eliminated and ~epla~ed ~ith Dipe~toe at this point the o~din~n~e. Ag~in~ i ~eel it ~s ~ ~o~d and/op ~yping omission. ~ge 54: ".E~istin~ Diametep At Bpe~st Heigh~ (EDBH), suggest that this Paragraph be completely ~li~i~ i$ appe~s n~he~ in the ~pdin~nce ~nd m~y add confusion ~i~h the DBH definition on page ~5, Ho~ever, the sen'tense can be added to enhance the DBH definition on page P~ge ~5: "P~otected T~ee.i.". This shoul~ ~- -~ fou~ (4)inches DBH. B~sed on t~e ~equi~e~e~su~g~ in the o~din~nce ~nd the purpose ~,;hi~h is to P~Dtect, it · m~kes much sense to change this to ~ou~ inch t~ees. P~ge 55: "Tpee". This definition is inconsistent ~ith the o~din~nce and should be bpought b~ck to p~evious definition: "T~ee shall mean ~ny ]i~inq, self-suppopting · nd epect, standing ~oody plant having ~t least one ~ell-de~ined stem, ~hi~h togethe~ ~ith its ~oot system, m~supes one and one-h~lf (1 1/~) inches in dtamete~ The l~st item is the Summ~y o$ the Tpee PP~ection ~de ~hich is page 58 o~ youp p~cke~, I ~eel i$ this is summary o$ ~e code i~ should be accurate and as i~ ~ppe~v~ it i~ in~;euv~. The P~r~gr~ph regarding credits should be completely elimin~ted since the~e such PPovision in the o~dinance. Again, the "exception" paragraph should be eliminated as I noted ppeviously. I.,sugge~t the fipst sentence be: l~he~ever po~sible, e...isting t~ees ~ill be ~et~ined. By definition, ~ tpee is...insert the definition e:-:a~tly as it ~ppe~ps on p~ e 55. g Hith ~ll due ~e~pect~ Z ~inceP. ly hope ~h. incon~i~tency · r~d the v~gueness off the ppovisions noted ape cop~ec~ed. While i do not feel this ondin~nce h~s the strength I~e had hoped fo~, it ~,~ill sepve as a s~lid foundation ~nd one day the City of Seb~stian c~n build into ~ tough yet f~tr tpe~ opdinance. 541 Melrose Lane S~astian, FL 32958 April 29, 1994 ~~,, TO: Mayor Arthur Firtion Councilme~er No~a Damp ~ C/~.' ? z,~ Councilme~er Fra~ Oberbeck Councilme~er Robert Freeland City Manager Co~ity Development Manager Enclosed herewith Please find a proposed tree protection ordinance for your review and consideration. I have highlighted my changes, relative to the Co,unity Development Department's ordinance 0-94-05 (agenda number 94.12293.064) which was submitted to you on April 27, 1994. I will be in attendance at the May 4, 1994 City Council workshop meeting to discuss this matter further. Tha~ you in advance for your time and interest. Sincerely, Donna Starck NHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning commission for the City of Sebastian has Bet and approved the proposed amendment to the existing Tree Protection Ordinance for the City of Sebastian; and NHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the proposed' amendment to theTree Protection Ordinance of the City of Sebastian is in the best interest of the citizens of the City of Sebastian and will promote public health, safety and welfare, through better control of flooding, soil conservation, air pollution, and noise; by encouraging reduced energy consumption; by conserving water; and in general make the City of Sebastian a healthler, safer and more beautiful ~lace in which to live. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED B~ THE CIT~ COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEBABTIAN, INDIAN RIVER COUNT~, FLORIDA, that.- SECTION 1. TREE PROTECTIO~ OR~INANCEANENDMENT. Artlcle XIV of the Land Development Code of the City of Sebastian, pertaining to tree protection, is hereby amended in its entirety, as follows: "Sec. 20A-14.1. Purpose, intent and applicability. A. Purpose. The purpose of this article is to establlsh protective regulations for trees within the City in order to: Better control problems of flooding, conservation, air pollution and noise; Encourage reduced energy consumption; soil Conserve water; and 4. Make the City a healthier, safer, and more beautiful place in which to live. B. Intent. The ~n~ent of this article, is to encourage the protection of a maximum number of trees and....restr/ct clear cmtt~n~ of lot~. It is further the inten% of-th~s article to encourage, in Particular, the protection of native trees of the City. C. Applicability. This article shall apply to all real property lying within the City, except: Public protection - If any tree shall be determined to be in a hazardous or dangerous condition, so as to endanger the publlc health, welfare or safety and requires tmmediat9 removal without delay, verbal authorization may be given by the director and a written permit shall be issued after the fact. I 2. State of public emergency - During the period of an involving emergency, . natural disasters such as a hurricane, tropical storm, wind storm, free=e, i or any other act of God, the requirements of flood this article may be temporarily waived by the City Manager, .or designee, so that the requir~ment~ of I this article will in no way prlvate or public efforts to restore order ~n the City. -3. Nurseries - All licensed plant or tree nurseries, or active groves shall be exempt from the terms and provisions of this article. This exemption, however, only relates to those trees planted and growing on the premises of the licensee, which are so planted and growing for the purpose of sale to the general public, or otherwise ~D the ordinary course of the licensee's bus/ness. All trees classified as prohibited or undesirable exotics according to Section 20A-14.18. "Definitions" Tree removal by public utilities as necessary to fulfill their function. Sec. 20A-14.2. Administration. Environmental Administrator. The Director of Community Development shall be the Environmental Administrator, and shall be responsible for administering the provisions of this article and shall, direct, regulate and control the protection of all ~rees I growing now an~ hereafter in the City. sec.' 2ob-. 4.:3. B B. Hesoval. ~pe=~ ~r historic trees-shall ~ot be~r.e~oved ~z~pt fox extra~ ~~ ,~1 ~T bT f~ ~tt approved ~ ~e ~i~ ~~. Sec. 20~-14o4. Tree protection prior to development. A. Destruction approval. To prevent the unnecessary destruction of trees on vacant, platted lot(s) where a building permit or subdivision approval has not been issued, the destruction of any tree(s} on any one parcel of real property within the city, shall be prohibited, without first obtaining a permit as required within this article. B. Land Clearing or Grubbing. It shall be unlawful to clear, clear c~lt a treed, lot or grub land within the City without first having obtained a permit as provided in this section. C. Tree replacement. All trees that are illegally removed, or effectively damaged causing decline and eventual destruction, shali be replaced in accordance with Section 20A-14.16. D. Replacement cost. The cost of replacing tree(s) shall be incurred by the party that damaged or removed the tree(s). E. Single-family and two-family requirements. Prior to a building permit being issued for a single-family or .two-family residence, the applicant shall indicate the minimum number of trees, pursuant to Section 2__~A-14.5(B)(1)(g) of this Article. All trees that are retained or installed to meet this requirement shall be verified prior to the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy. 3 Sec. 20A-14o5. Application for ~ermits. A. This section shall-apply ko all new single-family & two-family properties. For all new construction other than single fam/~y 0r two-family residences, the minimum standards set forth in Article XIII shall apply. Also, any person desiring a permit to clear, grub or otherwise similarly disturb property within the city limits of Sebastian shall make written application to the department on proper forms provided by the director. The application form must be accurately completed and signed. The applicant/contractor and if other than owner ~ must acknowledge an awareness and understanding of the requirements of this article, relating to the protection of trees during land preparation for construction and construction activities. The completed application shall be submitted w~th '~_tree~ ~iling fee as established by, resolution by, the City Council. The application shall be reviewed by the director or designee, and signed signifying approval, approval with modifications, or denial based on the pertinent criteria set forth in Section 20A-14.11. ~'Criteria for Permit Issuancet~. ~A .! ]~. Permit appli=ations and procedures. A completed "Application for Land Clearing, Grubbing, or ?tee Removal'' form shall be required before any work is done on any lot. The application shall be accompanied b~ a survey, which may be prepared by ~he contractor, an~ a ~ ~ of =he ~oltOwing information and documentat£on deemed appropriate, as described below: Land Clearing or Grubbing., A legible, s~aled ~rawing/ove=lay showing property boundaries, physical or natural features, and limits of the proposed work; s±~e ~ t~-ees ~ou~ ~nches diameter ex:i~+4~.q' o~ ~ach. dev--. ~he overlay A. statement of the purpose for clearing and/or grubbing; A general description of existing vegetation, topography, and any surface waters present; el¸. A description of the method of debris disposal; A description of the method(s) of soil erosion and sedimentation control to be undertaken during earthwork activities and the means and timing of soil stabilization subsequent to the completion of the clearing and grubbing activities. The minimum number of trees shall be according to the lot size, noted below. The minimum height of each tree must be at least e/ght feet (8') and having a minimum ~2) /nch<liametermeasured between four (4) & six (6) feet above the grade level. 'Zxc6~tiOn~ Citrus trees may be used provided that none is less than four (4) feet in height, and shall not exceed three (3) or 25%, whichever is greater, of the required minimum number of trees on the lot. 4 MINIMUM TREE P~EQUIREM~NT$ FOR RESIDENTIAL BUILD~G LOTS Lot Size:SquaTe Feet To 9,999 ]0,000 ~o 15,999 16,000 To 19,999 20,000 To 29,999 30,000 To 39,999 40,000 To More Minimum Number of Trees Five (5) Trees Seven (7) Trees Twelve ( 12 ) Trees Fifteen ( 15 ) Trees Zighteen (18) Trees Twenty (20) Trees If trees must be added to the lot to conform with the requirements of this article, ~rees shall be supplied meeting: (1) Florida Grade q or better nursery standards established by the State of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs; and .(3) At least ($0.). percent of ~l new reqn~ tr~_ .~ha~ be of :na'r~ve-~spec.tes. All trees Xour (4) inches or note ~ ~amet--r l_fl~*~ outside the"~a~/nt-~f deve/opment Bust be =e~~_~ T~ .z~ -~ee ah~]l less .~han..~hat o..f..,a similar ~zed nntreed lot. the e?e~._t m spec~u-n tree ~ low-4 to ~ l~at~ ~ a lot, ~~ ~. ~o~ a '~t to romove a ~4~n ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~1 a ~..of i~ a~~ to save Sec. 20A-14.6. Prohibitions. A. It shall be unlawful to remove (as defined in Section 20A-14.18, "Definitions"), cut down, damage, poison or in any 5 other nanner ~iest~oy o2: cause ~o be ~es~o~e~ ~y ~s or accor~nce w~ ~e pr~s~ons of ~s article. All ~ngrove ~i~ng or r~oval ac~vtttes are s~je~ to s~te ~tting proced~es. 5A B. Attachments. It shall be unlawful to attach anything to C. P~hibited or undesirable exotic trees and assessment of for removal. I person shall plant, or caus~ to be planted or 1. No permit to be planted anywhere w=thin the corporate limits of the City of Sebastian, including any I public street or right-of-way, the following trees: A. ~ar Tree (Enterolobium cyclocarpum); B. Chinaberry (Melia azedarch); C. Australian Pine (Casuarina Punk Tree or Cajeput Tree (Melaleuoa quinquernervia or Melaleuca leucadendron); Brazilian Pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius). 2. Whenever the director, after investigation, determines that any one of the prohibited or undesirable trees has been planted within the City, the director shall, within ten (10) days, cause to be served upon the owner or occupant of the real I property upon which the subject trees are located, notice that such trees are in violation of this section. i 3. If after service of the notice provided for herein, and following any requested hearing provided for herein, it is determined that a violation does in fact exist, the property owner shall thereafter have fifteen (15) days in which to remove the tree(s), or the director, shall have the trees removed and charge the costs of removal thereof to the real property owner. D. It L~hall be unlawful to.clear cut a treed lot. Sec. 20A~l~.7.Indivtdual Tree Removal permit requirement. No person, .directly or indirectly, shall cut ~own, destroy, -remove~ relocate,or.effeCtively.destroY through damaging', any tree situated on any property,'~r clear any lot or acreage located within the City, without first obtaining a permit as provided in this article.. Sec. 20A-14.8. Tree removal permit exemptions. 6 -! Prohibited or undesirable trees, as defined in sec. 20-14.18. ~Definitions~, must be indicated on the survey but are considered proh/bite~ trees (or undesirable exotics) and are subject only to a verification inspection by the department prior to removal. Sec. 20A-14o9o Application for individual tree removal permit other than new construction. A. Permit Requirement. Permits for removal, relocation or replacement of individual trees or groups of trees covered in this section shall be obtained by making application for permit to the director. B. The application shall be accompanied by a written statement indicating the reasons for removal, relocation or replacement of trees and one (1) copy of an accurate and legible Site Plan, drawn to the largest practicable state, to show the following: Location of the tree(s) that are being removed or relocated. Location of the trees remaining or replaced to meet the minimum requirements of Section 20A-14.5 B 1 g. Sec. 20A-14.10 Locat/on of ex~_.st/n~ and DroP°seal i~p_rov~ts, · f any, ~nclUdinq...structures, easements. Permit Fee. A no~-refundable permit fee, to be established by resolution of the City Council, shall be applied to each acre or fraction thereof to be inspected. Such a fee is deemed necessary for the purpose of processing the application and making the necessary inspection for a~ministration and enforcement of this article. Sec. 20A-14.11. Criteria for permit issuance. The issuance of a "Land Clearing, Grubbing or Tree Removal" permit by the director, as required by this Article, shall be based on the following criteria: The need for vegetation removal on the property for purposes of land surveying or land preparation for development or other economic uses; Whether protected trees either do not exist on the site, or do not need to be removed for construction purposes; 7 c. The _here.. s~ty t~ remove troe~.. ,. which pose a 'safet~ hazar~ ~o ~des~ or v~Cul~ traffic or. due to prox~ ~ ~s~g or pro~se~ st~ctures, t~eaten ~ ~e dis~ptton to p~ltc se~tces an~ ~ltc ~sements~ .~Te~ove t:Fees.,Wh~ch pose a safety ~s:tty hazard 7A ~e~-~i~'~-~X)~w~_._~mw~-~'~'~~=~ or in con~=~on Weakened by age, storm, fire, insect"~ttack or other in3%~-y t~at'pose a danger.of falltn~ and-'a 'safety ha=etd to people, buildings or utilities and other improvements on lot or parcel of 2and; The extent to which tree removal is likely to result in damage t~ the property of other owners, public or private, including damage to lakes, ponds, streams, or rivers, through runoff or erosion, Topography of and relief to the land where the tree or ~angrove i~ located and the future effect cf tree removal' on erosion, soil ~oisture retention and the diversion or ~ncreased or decreased flow of surface water, and c?ordination with the city master drainage plan or similar plans adopted by Cxty Council; Goo~ forestry practices, i.e., the number of healthy trees that a given parcel of land wtll support, and the number and density of trees and mangroves existing elsewhere within the neighborhood, on improved or unimproved property; Necessity to remove trees in order to construct proposed I improvements to allow economic use of the property. Sec. 20A~14.12. Application review. A. General Review Procedures. The director shall act as soon as practicable but shall have no more than ten (10) working days after receipt of an application filed pursuant to this section in which to grant or deny the requested permit. If the director denies an application, the reason(s) for such den~al shall be specified to the applicant in writing. B. Site plan requirement. In the case where a site plan is r~quired to be submitted, th~ application shall be submitted I s~multaneously as part of.the s~te plan application, and the time of approval shall be the same as required for site plan review. Sec. 20A-14.13. Appeal from denlal of permit or other action of the director, penalty, and remedy. 'The e~tent of any damage or hardship which would r~sult to the applicant from a denial of the requested permit. Whether the tree has been designated a historic or specimen tree. The species and size of the tree(s) proposed for removal; .. A. Appeal. Any applicant a~Drieved b,, a ~-~-=-- =ivil oourt, as provi~e~ by Se=. 20A-14.~3.C' a~c~e, or ~e condt~io~s of a pe~it issue~ hereunder shall unl~w=u~, an~ person v~olBt~ng any of the provisions ~le.or ~e ~ondttions of a P~it issued hereunder shall, upon conv~on, .~ puni~he~ as provx~ed in Section 1-10 of tb~ C~ty C~. of Ordina~e~, and until such violation i~ rectlfle~, the plan a~ ~ree prote~tion plan approvals shall be rescin~ed. d~velopment work on the property shall ~ stopped until the y~?lat~pn is re~if~ed and ~ pe~i~(s) /s/are reinstated by the c~=y. ~n a~ appeal u~der this artacle, each i~div~dual ~r~e or ~angrove so removed, damaged or destroyed, w111 constitute 'separate offense. . ' C. Civil remedy available. In addltlon to the pe~'alties provided ~n Section ~-10 of the City's Code of Ordinances, any person who vtolate~ any provisions of this article shall: · . Forfeit and pay to the City a c~v~l penalty equal to the total value of those trees or mangroves illegally removed, or damaged ~$ computed by the IDter~attonal Society of Arbor~culture Shade Tree Value Formula. Such sum shall accrue to the City and ~ay be recovered in a civil action brought by the City. Such sum so collected shall be placed a fu~d for the tree bank or city street tree program, both es.tablished by resolution of the City Council, and shall be e~pe~ded for the purchase of trees for replacement i~ public properties ~e City. Replacement of illegally removed trees or mangroves may be required as restoration i~ lieu of money. This replacement will be computed on an inch-for- inch basis, according to the total inches at DBH of all illegally removed trees. A combination of money and tree and/or mangrove replacement may be required. D. Other remedy. No person shall remove, cut down, damage, poison or in any other manner destroy or cause to be damaged or destroyed any tree or mangrove in violation of this article· In 9 ~he event of any such violation, or imminent threat thereof, ~he city ~anager or designee, in addition to any other remedies provided by law, may institute a suit or injunction 'to prevent or terminate such continuing violations. ~ach day any vlolation of any 'provision of ~his article or of any ordinance shall continue shall constitute a separate offense, except ~hat in any case where the violation consists of a discrete act or failure to act, each violation shall constitute a separate offense. Sec. 20A-14.14. Duration of permit. Any permit issued by the City pursuant to the requirements of this article shall expire if the work authorized by the permit is not completed within six (6) months of the date of permit issuance. The holder of such an expired permit may apply for re-issue within thirty (30) days of such expiration, and the director, at his/her discretion, may cause the permit to be re-issued, waiving the fee therefore. Alternatively, application for a new permit must be made. 'Sec. 20A-14.35. Tree Relocation by the City or the County. Wher~ the applicant for a permit has authorized the City to ~nter upon his property and remove a tree or mangrove, the City shall have the option ~o relocate the tree or mangrove, at the City's expense, to publicly owned property. If the City does not elect to relocate such tree or mangrove, it may give the County the right to acquire such tree or mangrove at the County's expense, for relocation on other public land within the County. The relocatlon, either by the City or the county, shall be accomplished in fifteen (1~) =working days of"the issUance of the" permit to the owner. Should the City or County fall to remove the tree or mangrove within the fifteen (15) working-day period, the permit holder shall be allowed to proceed as provided in the permit. Sec. 20A-14.~6. Tree replacement for illegally remoged trees. A. Conditions and specifications for all tree replacement requirements. Characteristics. The replacement tree(s) shall have at least equal shade potential, screening properties, and other characteristics comparable to that of the tree(s) for which a removal request has been submitted. Size. Replacement of illeaallv removed tree(s) shall meet a .size requi, remen~, pr6vtding for a . Standard of .. one-t,ch ~('1 '! -) .DBH .~p~.~or?~ch~'' (~ _~. )"DB~i'.r~~ - .unless. 'otherwise agreed, upon by. ~. both the.'~direct, or ~nd--the"a. pPlicant.' Any number ]of t~e%S ~-may :be ':utiliZed fo..meet ~he .~nch-fo~'inc'h~'--_'' / requirement, provided that .... 1'0 i acceptable spacings and ~eslg~ are maintained. 3. Species. The CAty may require that the species of the replacement tree(s) be the same as those for I which r?oval iS being requested, or ~ay require such replacement trees, to be of a species native ~o the East Central FlorAda area. Acceptable exotAc .or "naturalized- tree(s) and palms may be used.to I meet replacement reguirements. A list of specaes whichmeetthese requirements is available from the ....... department. I 4. Hinimum standards. At the time of ~lant~-- -~-~ I 7z =~n ~eet (~0') and a minimum trunk ~tameter~o~ =wu 1riches (2-) measured six (6") inches above grade level. All such trees shall be of Florida Department of Agrlculture Nursery Grade Standard (~ualtty) Number i or better. Sec. 20A-14.17. Waivers of replacement tree(s) specification=. The planning and zoning commission may waive the species, size or m~nlmum ~tan~ards specifications if the appllcant can demonstrate that the current market conditions are such that tree(s) meeting these specifications are not readily available. Substitute tree(s) allowed under this waiver section must have the approval of the director. Establishment. A. .Any and al/ trees planted, replaced or relocated in compliance with this article must be maintained in a healthy, living condition after planting. Replacements that have not become established, have declined to an unhealthy condition to such a degree that survival is not probable, or have died, must be replaced. Such replacements must continue until a tree is established at the approved location, or if repeated failures or other factors indicate that the specified location"is unsuitable at a location approved by the director. ' Sec. 20A-14.18. Definitions. I The following words and phrases, shall have the meanings respectively i section: when used in this article', ascribed to them in this City shall mean the incorporated City of Sebastian, Indian River County, Florida. ' City Manager shall mean the City Manager or designee authorized to perform one or more of the duties of the City Manager, pursuant to this article. 'Clear cutting shall me-n the indiscriminate clearing of a lo! from DroDexty line to Dropert~ l~-e. 11 '1 i C_ .r~w.n shall mean all branch parts including all s~ems, twigs and foliage, i Department shall mean the Community Development Department. Diameter ~t Breast Height (DBH) shall mean the ~tandard measurement of the diameter, in inches, of a single-stemmed tree measured at four-and-one-half (4 1/2') feet above grade. ~he DBH of a multi- stemmed~.ree shall equal the sum total of the d~ameter of all stems measured at 4 1/2' above g~ade. ' ' ~/re~or ?~.11 mean _the Director of the Co--unity Development uepar~men~, or an employee authorized by the Director to perform one. or more of the duties of the Director, pursuant to this article. Dr~pline shall mean an imaginary llne along the ground which I .conforms tO the perimeter of the crown of a tree as projected Vertically to the ground. _ Existing Diameter At Breast Height (£DBH) shall mean the total ~ia~et~r_~?a~ured ~n.~nohe~ et 4. 1/2' feet above ~r&~e of all pro=ec=e~ crees exls=lng on a site prior to the beginning of I development on the site. EDBH shal~ not include any tre~s determ%n~d by the ~irector to be a prohibited species, dead or in declining condition, a . which would warrant their removal. . I Grubbing shall mean the removal of any type of rooted vegetation from land by digging, raking, dragging, or otherwise disturbing the I roots of -such vegetation and the so~l in which such roots are located. Hazardous Tree shall mean a tree the.t, in the opinion o.f. the direct.or, constitutes, a hazard to life or has a' significant potential ~:o cause in]ury to persons or da?age to property as the tree is in imminent danger of falling, or is otherwise considered b.y a representative of the department to be or to create a hazard. (I.e. , dead, diseased, a broken, split, cracked, leaning and uprooted trees). A hazardous tree shall also include a tree harboring communicable diseases or insects. Historic Tree shall mean a tree(s) which has been n.otable h~storic interest to'the City, because of it~-'~e~t~,~~ designated by resolution of the Cit~ Council an shall keep a permanent record of al~ trees SO' des~g~;~e~. 7 s~.~ who d~s .pot develop ~at pro~, ,or his pr,__~ re~e. ce. ~and clearing shall mean the removal by any m~ans of any type of vegetation or trees from land. woo~y plants lt~ted by the State of Flor4~- ~ .......... -~- - Wan~r~ve shall le&n any or all of the protected species of · uattc Na~i~e Vegetation shall mean any and all. plant and tree species that a~e indigenous to the City of Sebastian. ' Prohibited or Undesirable Exotic Tree~ ~hall mean the five tree a verification inspection by the 'department prior to removal. Under no circ~stances shall any of the named tree spec/es be deli~rately introduced into ~e City and planted on ublic o private property; and any su~ action shall be deemed a ~iolatto[ of ~is article and shall be cause for assessment of penalty and damages for subsequent removal against said violator: A. Ear tree (Enterolobium cyclocarpum); B. Chinaberry (Melia azedarch); C. Australian pine .(Casuarina spp.); D. Punk tree or ca3eput tree (Melaleuca guinquernervia or Melaleuca leucadendron); E. Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius) Protected Tree shall mean any tree of four (4~ inches DBH (1,2_60 inches in circumference) or greater, that is not otherwise exempted herein. Protective Barrier ~hall mean ? physical structure, com osed of ma~r~al complying with the specifications an~ ..... : ...... P .... ar=acle which effectively limits acces~ to a protected area. Remove or Removal shal.1 mean any act ~hlch wi{1 cause a tree to be damaged, decline or die within a period of eighteen (~8 months ~.g., damage inflicted upon the root .... ~-- =- ~ -~ ' ........ . o;~=~,, m~ heavy machinery, or my changing =ne natural grace above the root system around the trunk; or · damage inflicted on the tr~e, by e~cessive pruning or the ~ppllcation of any chemical, which permlts infection or pest · nf~station or causes poisoning; or damage caused by other direct or indirect ~ actions, including paving with concrete, asphalt or other impervious material to within two (2) ' diameter of a tree. ~_ ~ .... ,,- _ feet of the outside ......... ~ u=rms aemove or Removal,,. whe- m,~]~.~ ~ ~ mangrove shall mean the act,,-~ ....... · ....... ' -~ -~t~.~ remc.val t~ ..... = ~ .... ~-~ t .... u-u~ ua uausl~g ~ne e~Iectlve ..~u~n uumag~ng, poisoning or other direct or ind action? resulting in death or decline of a man-rovo __~ _=_..ir~ct trtmmi~g, cutting, mowing or other d~rect or ~nd~rect actions ~esult~ng in the removal of any part of a mangrove plant. Root ~runing shall mean the cutting of tree roots for the purpose of moving a ~ree or facilita~-~ng nearby construction or landscaping. , Topping s~ me~ ~e r~oval of vertical lea~ st~s on trees pl~t having at l~st one well ~efine~ st~, w~ch toge~er wi~ it's root syst~, is of a s~ctes which no~ll~ at,ins a min~ overall height at ~t~it~ of at least $~ (6') feet in ~e S~as~i~ se~ice ar~, '~ shall include, but not be . /limite~ to ~e region appropriate s~cies listed ~ on file .... wi~ ~e Cit~ Cl~k, as a~opte~ bY resolution of ~e City Council ~ revised as re~ire~, from time to t~me. . . ~ndesir~le Tre® (See .Prohibtt~d.. or Undesirable Tree. )" · ..: nances or parts of Ordinances ~ conflict h~ewi~ ~e her~y repeale~. SE~ION 3. .Sever~t~it~. In the event a court of competent j~lsdiction sh~i hold or dete~ne that any part of Ordinance is. invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the Ordinance shall not be affected'and it shall be presumed that the City Council of the City of Sebastian did not intend to enact such invalid or unconstitutional provision. It shall further be assumed that the City Council would have enacted '~" ' "the ..... remainder of this 0rdinance without such invalid and ~" unconstitut~6nal~Provisipn, thereby causing, said remainder to ffect. ::-."-'::,:--':'::;':'.'~". .... :enrich of the City · Council~f.the.Cmty Of Sebastian, Ind2an River County, Flor2da, i::~.i~X~P~~o~, "~'~-~ha'6:~'a'""part 'to' 'the Code of Ordinances of the City o~ Sebastian, Florida~ that the sections relettered to accomplish .... ' .... maY be changed to appropriate designations. 34 SECTION 5. Effective Date. Tb~ Ordinance shall ~ake m effect_. ~ ~a~aX~ 1, .1995~ The foregoing Ordinance was moved for adoption by Council m Member , . The motion was seconde~ by Council Member and, upon being put to a vote, the vote was as follows: t4A ~ayor Arthur~/~vtion.:. Vioe-MayorCarolyn Corum Cou~cil~emberrrank Oberbeck Councilmember Norma J. Damp Councilmember Robert rreela~d The ~ayor ~hereupon declared this Ordinance duly passed and day of , 1994. CITY OF SEBASTIAN ATTEST: Arthur Firtion-~ ., ~ayor · Kathryn ~. o'~alloran, CMC/AAE Approved as %o form and content: Charles lan Nash, Ci'ty At~or~ 15 ! . Bill Jordan 722 Wentworth Street ~ .q~ ' ',:;-.-- '.,~ Sebastian, Florida 32958.. , Mr Howard Ooldstein ~ ~,e ~:~ -!':t Sebastian Planning & Zoning Commission ~ /.~.'" i Sebastian City Hall 1225 Main Street ~~- Sebastian, Florida 3 2 9 5 8 I Dear Mr. Goldstein: I have other things on my mind that i should do besides writing this letter. I. I am aware you also could be doing more enjoyable things than reading this. .. I'm grateful for the job you're doing, ultimately for my benefit and interest in seeing Sebastian grow in an orderly, and predictable fashion. I When I moved here over 5 years ago I saw beauty, natural beauty abound, with the flora, fauna, the Indian River and Ocean. I loved Sebastian. I settled i here, built my home and intend to live here til I die. My builder, bless him, advised me that he would save the thirty year old oak and a 60 foot slash pine abutting our house. I took a tree count and with pride'fmd: 14 large slash pines, 20 I cabbage palms, 12 baby palms, 3 7 trees planted. oaks and fruit that I Black snakes, squirrels, rabbits, a gopher tortoise and native birds find their home on my I GDC lot. A small orange breasted mother bird sits on 3 or 4 eggs on a shelf of my outdoor shower. I'm blessed. You will be deciding on an amended ordinance next week. I beg of you to I consider some builders or home owners who needlessly rape their lots and destroy our native heritage, God's gift to us, our trees. I would ask that clear cutting be banned. Many Sebastian lots are barren, when GDC saw fit to clear cut many years I ago. Let those who want no trees choose such lots. We can stop this ruthless destruction by your courage to write an effective ordinance. I Thank you. . ~erely,