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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008 Main & IR Drive UpdateCity of Sebastian Main Street Improvements Project Update January 23, 2008 The last meeting with the CRA was in September. Since that meeting, we have accomplished the following: ■ Pursuant to Council direction, we have commenced final design work, and started the permitting process • Plans are 75 %complete, including grading /drainage /utility infrastructure, but lack final landscape /hardscape /amenity details; and signalization plan is not complete. • Permits: Plans at this stage provide necessary drainage /utility infrastructure for most agency permits. We have submitted to ACOE, SJRWMD, IRCDUS, & FDEP. We have obtained the SJR ERP permit, ACOE permit, and SJR S.S.L Lease Transfer. We expect IRCDUS and FDEP Utility permits in 30 -45 days. ■ Pursuant to Council request, we have prepared several bathroom facility locations for your consideration. It is our recommendation to stay with the original location. Also, we prepared an alternate bathroom floor plan/elevation for your consideration. Originally, we copied the sploshpcol plans and redesigiled the facade to have a Florida Vernacular look. This plan was 739 sf (507 sf with 232 sf covered porch). The new plan is substantially smaller, and should be less expensive. The new size is 310 sf (185 sf with 125 sf covered porch). ■ Pursuant to Council request, we have prepared details and measures to save the historic Hardy Oak Tree, but have also prepared an alternate plan for a fountain, which you reviewed in September. The fountain plan has not changed. In November, a tree arborist, Dale Armstrong, from the Florida Dept. of Agriculture, met with Rebecca Grohall (C.O.S. Growth Management) and Stephanie Savilla (from Biotech). His response indicated that the tree was: • In poor condition • Recovering from past damage and trauma Consequently, he concluded that it may be in the city's best interest to remove the tree. I do not necessarily agree with him, and I want to emphasize several points: 1. The arborist did not have any knowledge of the City's policy /codes regarding preservation of historic trees. 2. The arborist did not have a construction plan to evaluate the impacts — not because it was withheld, but because it did not exist. In November we were still working on the construction plans, therefore, his opinion may have been based on several assumptions, including: • Significant grade changes — which is not true • Minimum/no effort to prepare the tree for construction — which is not true • Standard construction practices would be the norm — which is not true 3. The arborist was not hired by SBS or the City to provide recommendations or direction on how to best preserve the tree. Actually, this arborist was asked to take a look at the tree by our consultant, Biotech, as a courtesy. More recently, I met with an arborist, Larry Vickers, from Jimmy's Tree Service, to evaluate the tree and our plan. He is the arborist the City hired last year to prune the tree. He indicated that the tree was in need of some maintenance — it has detached bark, which may be due to a bore infestation. It needs regular maintenance — fertilizer, treatment for disease /insects. However, the tree is alive, strong, and can be salvaged. The prognosis is that the tree will not gain a substantial canopy. What you see now is what you can expect in the near future. The tree may continue to deteriorate if not maintained, but may be able to be stabilized. The good news is that after discussion and review of our proposed improvements, Mr. Vickers thought that we can proceed with the project if several proactive and protective measures were taken. Including: ■ Prepare the tree now • Treat the bore infestation and any other problems • Fertilize • Remove dead wood ■ Provide design measures to protect the tree • Barricade /protect during construction • Design to minimize root disturbance K If these measures are taken, together with a continuous on -going maintenance regimen, we can expect to preserve the tree during and after construction. Our proposal, from its inception when we submitted our first RFQ, was to preserve and design around the tree. We have prepared a working plan (sheet 18) to accomplish this goal. In our working plan, we have implemented the following measures: ■ Design Measures Proposed • Use special sidewalk/pavement construction when near the tree, including: ■ Sidewalk — pavers set on sand ■ Indian River Drive pavement — a reinforced concrete structural slab over the existing soil — this will eliminate the need to compact or till the soil. • Maintain existing grades adjacent to tree (no significant fill or cut) • Provide protective barricades and warning signs • Provide good drainage • Provide 12 ft + minimum setback to pavement (per C.O.S. code) • Specify that an arborist shall: • Prepare tree — root prune where necessary and inject soil with fertilizer and additives to invigorate roots. • Inspect tree, and identify and treat any special problems (insect or disease) • Remove all dead wood ■ Specify that the contractor /arborist, during construction, shall: • Apply additional water in the canopy area as needed to compensate for root loss beyond pruned areas. • Provide 2" bark mulch at perimeter of tree, and seed /mulch to barricade ■ Maintain barricades and signs. ■ Do not allow encroachment of vehicles, equipment or materials within the tree protection area. ■ Recommendation to Council • Hire arborist immediately to prepare tree for construction. It is recommended that tree preparation/treatment is completed at least one full growing season before construction. • Preparation should include: ■ Root prune /soil preparation/fertilize — twice before construction: Early Spring (beginning or March), and Fall (beginning of October) • Remove dead wood ■ Inspect /treat tree for any other existing problems ■ Remove asphalt adjacent to Oak at Main St. now, and prepare soil (inject and aerate). This will encourage root growth in this area. 3 Optional ■ Fountain — we have prepared an alternate plan — a fountain, in case the city does not want to go thru the expense of preserving the tree Moving Forward 1. I need direction on: A. Review /discuss the bathroom locations B. Discuss the Hardy Oak Tree — should be preserved? There were questions about its: - Aesthetics — it doesn't look real good - Health — Is it going to die regardless? C. Retain an Arborist 2. Our next steps include: A. Upon determination of the bathroom location and tree /fountain, we will: ■ Prepare final landscape plan ■ Submit plans to P &Z — where planning staff will review and also forward to historical society, city engineer and fire dept., etc. for their review B. Prepare signalization plan for US 1 /Main Street and submit to F.D.O.T. for applicable permit applications C. Submit Civil and Landscape plans to C.R.A. for review /comments on landscape and hardscape features /details D. Submit revised final plans to C.R.A.: Incorporate C.R.A. comments. Request approval of the design and commence contract document preparation and site work bidding. 0 &V. 0 W-1 ON 14, IqA 1 1 w. t, 0 0 0 0 : U Uj cr-- U O ui CL r 0 0 NEW PLAN 20' -8" UTILITY / STORAGE FIMENS WOMENS LLJ0 L LANAI TOTAL = 310 SF • C] a'waae;w 'tm N C t�4 Q) Y U m LL E O NNN CL. LL t. O Q) O tv N � CL U _ O O W a - -e ri P4 bra `_i 1 11 j �;._�.....r.....k _ -._. � f? 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