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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10042005 EB SE~ ~.~ HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND TEMPORARY ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MEETING TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4,2005 - 6:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 1. The Chairman called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. ROLL CALL Present: Trish Adams Patricia Beckwith AI Davis Michael Kidde Mary Ann Krueger Jim Slattery Kristi Yanchis Absent: Therese Miller Michael Mugas Excused Absence: Also present were: AI Minner, City Manager Jan King, Acting Growth Management Director John Oakes, Planning & Zoning Commissioner Jeanette Williams, Recording Secretary 4. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES - 9/13/05 Meeting A MOTION was made by Mr. Davis and a SECOND by Ms. Beckwith the minutes were approved by a voice vote. 5. OVERVIEW OF RIVERFRONT DISTRICT BY JAN KING, CITY OF SEBASTIAN ACTING GROWTH MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR The Growth Management Director described the functions of the Growth Management Department and the process for building new residential and commercial areas in the City. She also explained how the Riverfront has more stringent regulations because the Riverfront, Sebastian Corridor and Triangle are highly regarded areas within the City. Temporary Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting October 4, 2005 Page Two Ms. Beckwith asked about Paradise Marina and Resort's plan to install an exfiltration system on the Riverfront. Discussion followed on allowable businesses in the Riverfront district and if certain categories should be banned from the Riverfront. Ms. Adams asked if species such as mangroves or setbacks for mangroves were considered when planning the Riverfront district. The Growth Management Director stated the compelling interest was the aesthetic Fisherman Village look of the district. Ms. Adams asked how the City becomes aware of environmentally sensitive issues and the Growth Management Director stated the City relies on the developers'disclosure. Ms. Adams stated the federal and state governments do not review the disclosures and suggested the City enact stringent protection ordinances for protected species. Discussion followed on the time frame that the City receives tree surveys for residential development and perhaps a change to the ordinance in this regard. The Growth Management Director stated developers usually have plans for sensitive species in place by the time the application is made at City Hall. Ms. Adams pointed out that if tortoises are valued by citizens that recommendations would be made to council to have a fee for each tortoise removed, however there is not enough interest by the citizens. Ms. Adams suggested dividing the City into quadrants and have resident specialists identify sensitive species for future planning. Mr. Slattery suggested the use of high school students for this project. Side I, Tape II, 7:30 pm 6. WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Mr. Slattery and Ms. Yanchis were welcomed and were invited to join in on discussion. 7. COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPE Mr. Kidde echoed his remarks made to the residential landscape ordinance revision and would like to protect existing trees. Ms. Beckwith agreed with Mr. Kidde. 2 Temporary Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting October 4, 2005 Page Three Ms. Adams would like to see more connectivity for scrub jay habitat; no clearing during mating season. She also stated that by having more understory trees, there is less grass to mow and less ornamentation needed thus saving commercial properties money. Mr. Davis echoed Council Member Coy's recently expressed desire to relocate trees. Mr. Kidde said it can be done and cited a recent Oldsmar project which had a 90% survival rate. He stated the return has been documented with mature landscape. Ms. Adams suggested breaks in subdivision walls or combination wall/landscape that animals can pass through and passing out landscape literature at model homes and the Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Beckwith offered that the Extension office has brochures which she can bring to the next meeting for review by the Committee. The Committee decided to work with the Tree and Landscape Advisory Board on changes to the commercial landscape code. 8. CHAIRMAN'S MATTERS Ms. Adams asked the City Manager if the Committee could assist with the application to the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences for an Integrated Pest Management Grant. The City Manager offered to contact City Council and the grant coordinator for more information. Ms. Adams mentioned a letter from the Friends of the St. Sebastian River requesting to be placed on the Committee's agenda. Side II, Tape II, 8:15 p.m. 9. MEMBER'S MATTERS Davis-none. Kidde-none. Krueger-presented her draft letter to give to new property owners. She requested committee members to tweak it as they see fit. She would also like to present new property owners with sample landscape literature. She requested the status of the job description for the environmental planner so they can begin to lobby council. Ms. Krueger asked if the Committee should have a mitigation fee for gopher tortoises on the next agenda. Ms. Adams advised the committee to follow the previously identified priorities. 3 Temporary Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting October 4,2005 Page Four Ms. Adams stated the RFP's were going out on the drain marker grants and the Committee should begin preparation for application next March. Miller-not present. Mugas-not present. Beckwith-reiterated her concern with the exfiltration system at Paradise Marina, and weekend clear-cutting was left out of the residential landscape revision. Slattery-expressed concern for the water supply, developing larger lots with more pervious surface, airport noise, and some Velocity debris at the Airport. Yanchis-suggested placement of recycle bins at City functions such as the Clam Bake. 8. SET NEXT AGENDA -Tim Glover from the Friends of the St. Sebastian River will be invited. -Extension Service material will be passed out for review. -The new property owners letter and environmental planner job description will be tweaked. -A outline of concerns regarding the residential landscape revision will be discussed for presentation to Council. 10. PUBLIC INPUT - none. 11. Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:57 p.m. Approved at the 11/2/05 meeting. (\ 4 ~ ~ . - -., . - - - ~: . - , HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND Attention New Property Owner Message from the Sebastian Citizen's Environmental Advisory Committee Sebastian is a great little community and is striving to keep it's unique environment. To do this we need everyone's help. We hope you will consider these suggestions: Leave some natural vegetation on your property. This helps drainage, cuts down on mowing, fertilizer, chemicals and irrigation. You will be rewarded by the presence of wildlife, birds and butterflies, who need native vegetation to survive.(The city does not require the complete clearing oflots. You only have to leave 5 feet on each side of your home cleared.) Consider native plants when landscaping (a list is provided for you) Most landscapers can do this for you. The savings in gas and water will be worth the effort. Try not to use chemical pesticides (weed killers, insect killers )or fertilizers that are not slow release and contain phosphates. These are very harmful to our groundwater the Indian River Lagoon and the St. Sebastian River. Please check your property for the presence of gopher tortoises, scrub jays and other endangered or threatened species. Special permits are needed in the case of the tortoises. Nesting migratory birds and scrub jays are protected. Use a gravel, sand or shell buffer around your home foundation to deter insects mold and moisture. Makes maintenance easier, to If you live on a stormwater pond or other bodies of water, leave a buffer between your yard and the water. This helps filter pollution and gives cover for wildlife and reptiles. Promote natural vegetation in and around the water to give cover to fish. All waters lead to the Indian River Lagoon., which is home to over 4000 species of creatures. It is threatened by the heavy development of our area. St. John's Water Management District (1-800-725-5922) tells us to water before lOam to insure healthy plants . 90 percent of our water comes from aquifers and less and less rainfall is seeping into underground aquifers. Weare committed to the preservation of this unique place. We invite you to get involved and we hope you will join us in our efforts to protect our resources. You can reach us by leaving a message with the City ph 772-589-5330 or by Email city @city of sebastian.org. starting from Scratch? A General Plan for Your Florida Yard Plan aFlorida Native Plants, Inc. Chis neralizedlan emphasizes low maintenance shade and great views both to and from the home. From any window, iomeowners will be able to see flowering plants, p birds, and butterflies. A diversity of native trees and shrubs prove 3rivacy and a lush, uniquely Florida look. Areas 1-11 are trees and A-E are shrubs. A two -foot strip of shell or sand 30 CAUTION: plant lists are general suggestions only and not intended to be applied "as is." The final list for your yard should be adapted to your specific region of the state, considering soil conditions, local climate conditions, whether you're on the coast or an inland waterway, what grows naturally nearby, and the recommendations of your local AFNN nursery. (� potential high -traffic areas — depending on your needs, use ground cover plants, mulch, shell, or, if you must, drought - tolerant turf. El Mass plantings of low -growing shrubs, ferns, coontie, and native bunchgrasses. IM Tree and shrub beds surrounded by leaf hater, mulch, and ground cover plants. North Florida A Beautyberry Central Florida s 1 Longleaf pine A Beautyberry 1 Slash or longleaf pine A Beautyberry B N► myrtle y� 2 Red cedar B Wax myrtle ± 2 3 Red cedar Magnolia C Walter's viburnum 3 Magnolia C Possum haw 4 Uve oak p Anise 4 Uve oak 5 Winged elm D Anise E oakleaf hydrangea ; 5 Winged elm E Frebush 6 Redbud 11 Lancewood i 6 Yaupon 7 River birch 7 River birch 8 Crab apple 8 9 Fringetree Cabbage palm 9 Cabbage palm 10 Red bay 10 Red bay 11 Holly ! 11 Sparkleberry y Hummingbird &butterfly garden r Y Hummingbird & butterfly garden Leave a 24- boundary of shell, stone, or sand between plantings and your house. South Florida 1 Slash or longleaf pine A Beautyberry 2 Red cedar B Wax myrtle 3 Dahoon holly C Marlberry 4 Uve oak D Wild coffee 5 Gumbo limbo E Necklace pod 6 Jamaica caper 7 Stopper 8 Firebush 9 Cabbage palm 10 Red bay 11 Lancewood I)r Hummingbird & butterfly garden