P & Z 04/10/2019 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planning & Zoning Commission/ Local Planning Agency Minutes April 10, 2019 Page 5 A lengthy discussion ensued regarding insurance companies restricting tree canopies over homes for insurance purposes, minimum tree requirements, and justification for removing existing property rights. The Commission thought using tree bank funds to offer free trees to neighborhoods or private property owners would help increase the tree canopy. In response to the Commission's request for data to substantiate the changes to the City's tree canopy, Ms. Hanna stated a tree survey was completed in 2011. She explained there have been no other tree surveys done. She said tree surveys are very expensive and staff did not feel it was necessary because there are measures in place to help maintain the canopy with the tree bank fund. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the large number of trees removed for new housing developments with a limited number of replacement trees, the life span of the larger oaks, the danger of the trees falling, planting trees in the right of way, and the change to the Code to use tree bank funds to plant trees on private property. In response to the Commission's question regarding the size of the tree required for new residential homes, Ms. Hanna stated a 3" caliper and 12' high tree. Mr. Dean Fathelbab, Planner II, stated that he reviews and approves tree removal permits. He said that he uses logic in reviewing the tree removal permits. He said there are a number of homeowners in the City that are currently required to obtain a tree removal permit. He said this Code change would ensure that trees that have been removed are replaced. Mr. Fathelbab stated that the Tree Advisory Committee has developed a program for homeowners to adopt Florida friendly trees that would be planted on their property if the program's criteria were met. Mr. Fathelbab said the size of the tree removed would determine the tree replacement. He said that property owners get credit for existing mature trees. In response to the Commission's question regarding a tree damaged due to a hurricane, Mr. Fathelbab said that tree would be exempt but staff would request the property owner apply for a tree removal permit after the fact for tracking purposes. A general discussion ensued regarding removing property owner rights and the difficulty for Code Compliance to determine if a single-family lot is meeting the minimum tree requirement because the City does not