HomeMy WebLinkAboutTree Preservation Proposed Amendment to Article II. Tree Protection Sec. 102-36. - Definitions. of the City's CodeGood Morning Anthony,
The CED is seeking to amend Article II. – Tree Protection within the code to better protect specimen trees.
As it stands, the code language defines a specimen tree as the following: <https://library.municode.com/fl/cape_canaveral/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=SPBLADECO_CH102VE_ARTIITRPR_DIV2LACL_S102-36
DE> “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.”
Tim Davis, our City Arborist, went to a large conference earlier in the year where he learned that several Florida municipalities and counties had reduced the size definition of their
specimen trees from 24 inches to 18 inches.
We met as a department a few weeks ago (and with Tim Davis) and agreed that this would be worthy of pursuing in the City of Cape Canaveral: seeking a reduction in the diameter measurement
from 24 inches to 18 inches and to better distinguish the importance of native trees.
The code seeks to protect and preserve specimen trees to the greatest extent feasible. With the City being over 90% built out, our remaining urban forest is critical to protect.
Other Cities such as Coral Gables, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami-Dade County have defined specimen tree diameter as 18 inches. Please see an example attached.
In an effort to quickly establish protection of more trees, future efforts will include a tree list of Florida-Friendly trees, Regionally native trees, and tree species that are native
specifically to Cape Canaveral that could be potentially adopted into the land development code.
Below 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.
We ask that you please assist CED with drafting an ordinance.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you and have a great day,
Abigail Holmes
Resilience Planning and Services Manager
<http://www.cityofcapecanaveral.org/> City of Cape Canaveral
(321) 868-1220 x113
100 Polk Avenue — P.O. Box 326
Cape Canaveral, Florida 32920