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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRE Tree ordinanceHello Leslie, Thank you for reaching out. My Thanksgiving was very fun and relaxing. I hope yours was as well! We are also trying to improve our ability to preserve our remaining tree canopy, as well as expand it where we can. Your email is very timely. We just launched an initiative to rewrite our code to reduce the definition size of specimen trees in the City from 24 inches down to 18 inches. As it stands, the code current language defines a specimen tree as the following: “ <https://library.municode.com/fl/cape_canaveral/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=SPBLADECO_CH102VE_ARTIITRPR_DIV2LACL_S102-36DE> Specimen tree means a tree having a caliper of 24 inches or more in diameter. Specimen trees shall not include undesirable, dead, hazardous or diseased trees, or trees that are structurally unsound and cannot recover from pruning.” Below in red is the draft language we are proposing to amend Article II. – Tree Protection, Sec. 102-36. - Definitions. of the City’s code: Specimen tree means a tree having a caliper of 18 inches or more in diameter. Specimen trees shall not include non-native, undesirable, dead, hazardous or diseased trees, or trees that are structurally unsound and cannot recover from pruning. Next step is get a draft ordinance in front of our Planning and Zoning Board, which serves as the City’s de facto sustainability board, then onto to Council. I don’t know when that will be though at this time since we only just launched this initiative. We also have tree replacement standards in our code (see below) but I don’t know if they are different than what Melbourne Beach has already. * https://library.municode.com/fl/cape_canaveral/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=SPBLADECO_CH102VE_ARTIITRPR_DIV2LACL_S102-54TRREST These two outreach programs (see below) are also intended to help residents improve canopy around their properties if they meet certain qualifications: 1. Adopt-A-Tree Program <https://cms3.revize.com/revize/capecanaveral/cocc_adopt_a_tree_program_20220829.pdf> 2. Adopt-A-Mangrove Program <https://cms3.revize.com/revize/capecanaveral/document_center/Documents/Community%20Development/cocc_mangrove_program_final_20201201.pdf> I hope this email is helpful! Zachary Eichholz Chief Resilience Manager <http://www.cityofcapecanaveral.org/> City of Cape Canaveral (321) 868-1220 x219 100 Polk Avenue — P.O. Box 326 Cape Canaveral, Florida 32920 From: Leslie Maloney <maloneyl731@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, November 27, 2024 8:22 PM To: Zachary Eichholz <z.eichholz@capecanaveral.gov> Subject: Tree ordinance _____ Warning-This email originated outside the City of Cape Canaveral mail system. Please review the sender's address. Report any suspicious mail by using the Phishalert button in Outlook. If that is not possible forward the suspicious mail to phishalert@cityofcapecanaveral.org <mailto:phishalert@cityofcapecanaveral.org> _____ Hi Zach, Hope this email finds you well and getting ready for a fun, relaxing Thanksgiving. The Environmental Board of Melbourne Beach is seeking some guidance from other beach communities in Brevard on tree ordinances and enforcement. We are trying to tighten ours up and we seem to be having a real problem with enforcement. This is true especially with tear downs and then much larger homes being built on the lot which does not allow for many trees. We are also looking at not having palm trees being an option for replacement trees, only hard woods. Any insights you can provide would be helpful. Feel free to call if it's easier. We hear good things are happening in Cape Canaveral! Thanks so much! Leslie Maloney EAB member 321-432-4346 Florida has a very broad public records law. As a result, any written communication created or received by the City of Cape Canaveral officials and employees will be made available to the public and/or media upon request, unless otherwise exempt. Under Florida Law, email addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public-records request, do not send electronic email to this entity. Instead, contact our office by phone or in writing.