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APP2009-00006 APP2009-00006 2325 STAG RUN BLVD MITCHELL, GERALD PLANNER OF RECORD: NOT ENTERED ATLAS # 272A ZONING: CROD LAND USE: RL RECEIVED: 09/15/2009 INCOMPLETE: COMPLETE: MAPS: PHOTOS: STAFF REPORT: DRC: CDB: CLW CoverSheet 0 0 APP2009-00006 2325 STAG RUN BLVD MITCHELL, GERALD PLANNER OF RECORD: NOT ENTERED ATLAS # 272A ZONING: CROD LAND USE: RL RECEIVED: 09/15/2009 INCOMPLETE: COMPLETE: MAPS: PHOTOS: STAFF REPORT: DRC : CDB: CLWCoverSheet 0 9 CDB Meeting Date: October 20, 2009 Case Number: APP2009-00006 Agenda Item: F. 1. Appellant/Owner: Gerald Mitchell Address: 2325 Stag Run Boulevard CITY OF CLEARWATER PLANNING DEPARTMENT STAFF REPORT GENERAL INFORMATION: REQUEST: An appeal from a Level One (Tree Removal Permit) denial decision pursuant to Community Development Code Section 4- 501.A.4, that a request to remove one laurel oak tree in conjunction with the construction of a swimming pool and deck does not meet the removal criteria set forth in Community Development Code Section 3-1205 B.2.a. CURRENT ZONING: Low Medium Density Residential (LMDR) District CURRENT FUTURE LAND USE CATEGORY: Residential Low (RL) PROPERTY USE: Current Use: Detached Dwelling Proposed Use: Detached Dwelling EXISTING North: Low Medium Density Residential (LMDR) District SURROUNDING ZONING Detached Dwelling AND USES: South: Low Medium Density Residential (LMDR) District Detached Dwelling East: Low Medium Density Residential (LMDR) District Detached Dwelling West: Low Medium Density Residential (LMDR) District Detached Dwelling BACKGROUND: The 0.234-acre subject property is located on the southeast side of Stag Run Boulevard, approximately 670 feet southwest of Wetherington Road. On August 20, 2009, a tree removal permit application was submitted with an application for a building construction permit (BCP2009-08296) requesting approval to remove a laurel oak tree, Quercus laurifolia, in conjunction with the construction of a swimming pool with decking at a detached dwelling in the Low Medium Density Residential (LMDR) District. ANAT.VCTC- After review of the aforementioned application, inspection of the subject tree and consultation with other department staff, the tree removal permit was denied on August 26, 2009, based upon the following findings of fact and conclusions of law: Community Development Board - October 20, 2009 APP2009-00006 - Page 1 of 3 9 0 Findings of Fact: 1. That the request includes the removal of a laurel oak tree, Quercus laurifolia, in conjunction with the construction of a swimming pool with decking; 2. That the laurel oak tree is not a prohibited species; 3. That the laurel oak tree does not appear to be structurally compromised or negatively impacted from competition with other trees; 4. That the laurel oak tree does not appear to be diseased or suffering from an insect attack; 5. That the laurel oak tree does not appear to be in danger of falling; 6. That the laurel oak tree's proximity to existing and proposed structures would not be problematic for the tree; and 7. That the laurel oak tree does not interfere with any existing utility services. Conclusions of Law: I. That pursuant to Community Development Code (CDC)'Section 3-1205.B.2:a, the laurel oak tree does not meet the criteria for issuance of a tree removal permit as the condition and location of the protected tree with respect to species, tree structure, competition, disease, insect attack, danger of falling, proximity to existing or proposed structures and interference with utility services does not exist; and 2. That the proposed swimming pool with decking can be constructed without the removal of the laurel oak tree. An appeal from the above decision was filed by the property owner on September 15, 2009, consistent with the timeframe established for an appeal to be initiated in CDC Section 4-502.A. It is noted that on September 17, 2009, a building construction permit for the requested swimming pool and decking portions of the application (BCP2009-08296) was issued and picked-up by the pool contractor, Tri-County Pools of Clearwater, Florida. Pursuant to CDC Section 4-501.A.4, the Community Development Board (CDB) has the authority to hear appeals from denials of any permit issued under the provisions of this Code. Pursuant to CDC Section 4-504.A, the CDB shall review the application, the recommendation of the Community Development Coordinator, conduct a quasi-judicial public hearing on the application, and render a decision in accordance with the provisions of CDC Section 4-206.D.5 granting the appeal, granting the appeal subject to specified conditions, or denying the appeal. It is noted that pursuant to CDC Section 4-504.B, in order to grant an appeal, overturning or modifying the decision appealed from, the CDB shall find that based on substantial competent evidence presented by the applicant or other party that each and every one of the following criteria are met: 1. The decision appealed from misconstrued or incorrectly interpreted the provisions of this development code; and 2. The decision of the CDB will be in harmony with the general intent and purpose of this development code; and 3. The decision of the CDB will not be detrimental to the public health, safety and general welfare. Community Development Board - October 20, 2009 APP2009-00006 - Page 2 of 3 0 • Prepared by Planning Department Staff: Rich rd J. Albee, Lan esou ce Specialist ATTACHMENTS: ? Proposed Site Plan Received August 20, 2009 ? Resume S:IPlanning DepartmentlCD &4ppealslStag Run 2325 (LMDR) 2009.10 - RAIStag Run Blvd 2325 Gerald Mitchell.docx Community Development Board - October 20, 2009 APP2009-00006 - Page 3 of 3 0 • Resume Richard J. Albee 100 South Myrtle Avenue Clearwater, Florida 33756 (727) 562-4741 rick. albee@,,myclearwater. corn PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE LAND RESOURCE SPECIALIST 7/6/98-Present City of Clearwater Site Plan Review/Approval: Review commercial and residential site plans for compliance with the Tree Preservation and Erosion Control sections of the Land Development Code; Participate in weekly BPRC and monthly DRC meetings to communicate technical tree preservation details to staff, contractors, engineers, architects and the general public. Preliminary Site Inspections: Inspect sites prior to plan review and approval for historic and/or specimen trees; Identify hazardous trees; Perform tree inventories; Communicate plan modifications, if needed, to protect desirable trees. Represent Planning Department: at pre-construction meetings. Construction Site Inspections: Inspect construction sites for erosion control and tree protection; Conduct final inspections; Enforce the Tree and Clearing and Grubbing Ordinances; Investigate and process citizen complaints and provide conflict resolution. Communicate with engineering inspectors to resolve utility conflicts. ENVIRONMENTAL INSPECTOR I & II 1/5/87-7/6/98 Environmental Division, Public Works Department Site plan review/approval: Review site plans for compliance with the comprehensive plan; landscape codes and storm water retention requirements. Attend BPRC and DRC meetings. Preliminary site inspections: Inspect sites prior to plan review and approval for historic and/or specimen trees, identify/delineate wetlands; Communicate necessary changes to protect such trees or wetlands. Represent Environmental Division: at pre-construction meetings. Construction site inspections: Monitor construction sites for erosion control, tree protection and wetland protection; Complete inspection reports; Perform final inspections on construction projects for compliance with approved plans. Landscape/Storm Water Re-Inspection Program: As the project manager, developed guidelines and database for this program. Completed approximately 400 site inspections for site compliance with the landscape and storm water codes; Enforce landscape, tree and storm water ordinances. Additional Expertise: Became knowledgeable about wellhead protection ordinance, watershed management, environmental permit acquisition, and material waste management programs. Water Quality Program: Worked closely assisting Research Environmentalist in water quality program. DRAFTING TECHNICIAN 1& II 3/22/82-1/5/87 Engineering Department Updated house and utility atlases; Assisted engineer with designs; created civil/architectural construction drawings per engineer designs; prepared exhibits for commission meetings. EDUCATION CERTIFIED CADD OPERATOR Pinellas Vocational Technical Institute (PVTI) 3/86-12/86, 216 hrs. /7.2 credit hrs. GRAPHIC ARTS TECHNOLOGY St. Petersburg Vocational Technical Institute 12/80-2/81, (Refresher Course) DIPLOMA, CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY PVTI 3/79-7/79, 720 hrs./24 credit hrs. DIPLOMA, ARCHITECTURE TECHNOLOGY PVTI 8/77-3/79, 1980 hrs. /66 credit hrs. CIVIL ENGINEERING St. Petersburg Junior College 1976-1988, 31 credit hrs. toward AA degree 11 MEMBERSHIPS International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) CERTIFICATIONS Certified Arborist #SO-0989 0 Imt. Planning Department 100 South Myrtle Avenue Clearwater, Florida 33756 Telephone: 727-562-4567 Fax: 727-562-4576 ? SUBMIT ORIGINAL SIGNED AND NOTARIZED APPLICATION ? SUBMIT 12 COPIES OF THE ORIGINAL APPLICATION ? SUBMIT APPLICATION FEE $ 40 2325 STAG RUN BLVD APP2009-00006 MITCHELL, GERALD atlas# 272A Zoning: CROD u1 - -- 6 L SFr S CEPT APPEAL APPLICATION Level One and Level Two Reviews (Revised 03/29/01) l'YFE UK YK1N I - APPLICATION/NOTICE OF APPEAL (Code Section 4-502.A & B) An appeal of a level one approval (flexible standard) may be initiated by a property owner abutting the property which is the subject of the approval within seven days of the date the development order is issued. The filing of an application/ notice of appeal shall stay the effect of the decision pending the final determination of the case. An application/ notice of appeal of appeal of any decision of the city, as provided in Section 4-501, may be initiated by the applicant or any person granted party status within 14 days of the decision. Such application shall be filed with the city clerk in a form specified by the community development coordinator identifying with specificity the basis for the appeal and accompanied by a fee as required by Section 4-202.E. The filing of an application/ notice of appeal shall stay the effect of the decision pending the final determination of the case. A. APPELLANT AND AGENT INFORMATION: APPELLANT NAME: C1 G e. A ?-- D M 1 T"C H Ei L. , " / ?p c MAILING ADDRESS: 2-325 5 ? Q V N hLV Q QL6?12WlrA-TF1?- FL 3-67L S- PHONE NUMBER: -727-7?-,4 - 64 5 3 FAX NUMBER: AGENT NAME: MAILING ADDRESS: PHONE NUMBER: FAX NUMBER: B. APPEAL INFORMATION CHECK THE SPECIFIC APPEAL: Anneals to the Community Development Board ? Orders, requirements, decisions or determinations made by an administrative official in the administration of the development code, except for enforcement actions. ? Administrative interpretations of the development code ? Level One (Flexible and Minimum Standard) approval decisions Denials of any permit or license issued under the provisions of this Code ADDRESS OF SUBJECT APPEAL (if applicable): SPECIFIC CASE NUMBER TO BE APPEALED (if applicable): DATE OF DECISION: Appeals to a hearing officer ? Decisions of the community development board regarding level two approvals ? Decisions of the community development board regarding level one approvals ? OTHER (as allowed by Code) Page 1 of 2 - Appeal Application (Level One and Level Two Reviews)- City of Clearwater 0 0 C. BASIS OF APPEAL: Explain in detail the basis for the appeal. Use additional sheets if necessary. n U K Pol'-)L_ [ uw t D GT- Su 9IM (*MM fCN AP P L? C ATI0M R-012 A- 1 UE 2 Ot OV A L P? (T- I PJ C D Q I u KJ LTlO lu W 11H Ok j O- P LA t U ? '-(b ulJ i Lid A- Pop u . 41- mks p e (p- ?Cub IS p eo/E m i l 6 Ou ?L H Be, OU (2- FULL &21201L-. D. SIGNATURE: I, the undersigned, acknowledge that all representations made in this STATE OF FLORIDA, COUNTY OF PINELLAS f?'+ application are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. Sworn to and subscribed befor?e,? a this 1 day of 1o?-Z .D. 20v l to me and/or by 6kAnlk a, M who is personally known has produced Ell as identification. 1 C ignature of propert owner or representative Notary public, My commission expires: IIMS2IPDSIPIanning DepartmentOpplication Formsldevelopment reviewlAppeal Application.doc 4=?J?s Karen B. Vaughan Commission # DD500919 Expires December 20, 20% UndeOTmyFain Insurance Inc 800.385.7079 Page 2 of 2 - Appeal Application (Level One and Level Two Reviews)- City of Clearwater 6 CITY OF CLOWATER - PLANNING & DEVELOIONT SERVICES TREE REMOVAL PERMIT NAME OF OWNER ?'??I` SITE ADDRESS a 3 a` a _54 .o,,-j PHONE 22V -L? S.3 OWNER'S ADDRESS a ? R 5 LOCATION OF TREE(S) ON LOTS SPECIES AND NUMBER OF TREE(S) - ?^ k L C) a-,; TO APPLICANT: A non-refundable fee of $15.00 for up to five trees to be removed, plus $3.00 for every tree above 5 to be removed is required. REASON FOR REMOVAL: Construction -See "A" below 0 Hazardous 0 Declining 0 Dead ,. 0 Other (Specify) Fee Rec'd. $ A) CONSTRUCTION Date 1. For new construction, additions or other modifications of a property which involve the removal of a protected tree(s)' a site plan is required. This site plan must have a minimum scale of 1 "=20' for single family lots, or 1 "=50' for all others. The site plan must include: a. Major Changes of Grade f. Proposed Number of Parking Spaces j. All Protected Trees including: b. Structure Locations g. Proposed Underground Utilities (i.) Diameter of 4.5' above grade (DBH) c, Driveways and Walks h. Zoning Setbacks (ii.) Surveyed Location d. Parking Arrangement i. All easements and Rights-of-Way (ill.) Species e. Required Number of Parking Spaces (iv.) Diseased or Insect Infested Trees k. Tree Barricade Detail & Locations 2. Protective barriers are required around all trees remaining on site during construction. These barricades must remain intact during construction. The barriers must meet City Specifications. B) REPLACEMENTS 1. Tree replacement minimum standards: 10' overall height, 2.5" caliper, Florida Grade #1. See Inspectors note below to determine the number of replacement trees required. Replacements required within 30 days. I hereby certify that as property owner or as representative of the property owner, I have verified that the tree(s) sought to be removed is wholly on property owned by the above-identified property owner, and should it be determined that the tree(s) are located wholly or partially on property owned by some other person, then, I agree to hold the City of Clearwater harmless in any claim made for wrongful removal of such tree(s). I hereby certify that this application together with any plans submitted is a true representation of all facts concerning the proposed removal of the tree(s). Any deviation. from the permit issued shall render it null and void and be considered a lolation of the Community Development Code. Signature of owner or applicant Printed Name n - j i - Ai t,•-_ f h 2 "1 ?? T i Gv r. ! "1 ?K C js Address Agency Representing OCL # City State Zip Phone/Cell Fax Required Replacement Trees: - Applicable Code Section: Based on the Inspector's comments and information submitted, the above removal applicati 0 Approved as Submitted 0 Approved-Modified as Noted Above Denied .- ? ? ins D Signed: ?. Date: O 2-?0 Community Develop ent Coordinator or Designee/Inspector Valid for six months from the date of issuance. 1362:0001-GC White - Planning & Development Services Yellow - Appliciht Rev. 2-03 Z O C I la 07 D O m N DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE - Not %Ualld Until Signed By City Manager or his Designated Agent • Re: City of Clearwater - Planning & Development Services Tree Removal Permit No: BCP2009-08296 Owner: Gerald Mitchell Residence Address: 2325 Stag Run Blvd Tree: 1 Laurel Oak APPEAL Preface We did not understand from the City of Clearwater web pages, and still do not understand from the Development Code that we would be refused. We understand the need for keeping quality landscaping in the City of Clearwater; we are willing to replace the subject tree with size appropriate and wind resistant plantings. • Attachment A: Permit Application • Attachment B: City of Clearwater Tree Removal Information History We just purchased our property on August l0a' 2009. Our sales contract was contingent on our ability to be able to put a pool in the shallow back yard. (The rear yard is small, only 31 feet deep.) To this end, we had a certified arborist out, who gave us the pros and cons of the tree. We also had out two additional tree removal companies, and 3 pool companies. With all the information provided, and research we did on the species of the tee, we decided that unfortunately it would be safest for us to remove the tree, and that our ability to install and enjoy a pool in the limited space would also require the tree to be removed. Unfortunately, we decided to go ahead and purchase the property with those plans in mind, naively believing that we would be allowed to modify our own property. None of the people we approached in this matter once mentioned we would be prohibited from doing this, and in fact, everyone involved has expressed surprised that we have been denied our permit. Tree Species The Development Code states that the community coordinator shall consider the species of tree, which is exactly what we did when we applied for the permit. The Laurel Oak is not on Clearwater's list of recommended trees. The first arborist we had out told us the tree was a Laurel Oak. He said it was a healthy, nice tree. He also said Laurel Oaks were fast growers, which made them weak and prone to decay. He also said the average lifespan was about 50 years, not the 100s of years of a Live Oak, and he estimated the Laurel Oak in our yard to be over 30 years old. We did further research on the tree species after meeting with the arborist, and found a published article by an Environmental Horticulture Agent stating that Laurel Oaks begin to decay around 40 years of age. Our research also found that this species is prone to "hollowing out" from the inside, often taking years to manifest with no outward sign of decay. i ? Photo courtesy of a tree preservations specialist's website showing decay inside a Laurel oak with no outward signs. A Pinellas County Extension article mentions that because of all this, Laurel Oaks are prone to failure in hurricane winds. The referenced publication by researchers at the University of Florida states as a recommendation: "Consider removing over-mature and hazardous tree species that have demonstrated poor survival in hurricanes. This is especially true if trees are over-mature and endangering lives and property, and belong to the lowest wind resistance list. Some of these species can be seen below and include sand pine, pecan, laurel oak .......... • Attachment C: Pinellas County Extension: Live Oak or Laurel Oak? • Attachment D: OF/IFAS: Hurricane Preparation for Trees in the Landscape • Attachment E: UF: Wind and Trees, Lesson Learned from Hurricanes Proximity to Property The Development Code states that the community coordinator shall consider the danger of failing and proximity to existing or proposed structures, which is again what we did when applying for the permit. The tree is very large for our backyard; we feel it is the "wrong tree in the wrong place". It was estimated to be about 70-80 feet tall and is only 16 feet from our house. It would be about 18 feet from our proposed pool and deck. Additionally, it is about 13 feet from our side neighbor's fence and about 14 feet from our rear neighbor's fence. All three of our properties would likely sustain significant damage if the tree were to fall. A City inspector told us that the tree "was not going to fall" - based on our research we feel that is a pretty bold guarantee. The tree is less than 10 years from the point at which it will likely start to decay, and we will have to remove it eventually - it's not going to live to be 100. We feel it makes logical and financial sense to remove it now before we do the pool construction instead of waiting for it to drop limbs into our pool or on one of the roofs, or worse yet, topple in a storm. The certified arborist also mentioned that a Laurel Oak and a swimming pool in this close proximity would likely not be a good mix; he said we would have constant debris from the tree in our pool 8 months out of the year that would require daily cleaning. The City inspector's response to that was "that's why people have cages". We do not like cages, we do not have one in our plans, and to add one would cost an estimated additional $8000. Even if we felt that asking us to spend an additional $8000 to save the tree was reasonable (which we don't) we would still be cleaning debris constantly off our cage. We had a tree fall on a previous property we owned, and even without damage to the home itself, the resulting claim ended up in a significant spike in our homeowner's insurance. We are not willing to accept the financial liability or risk damage to our property or to our neighbor's. At this point in our conversation with the City inspector we were reminded that we are not financially responsible for any damage past our property line. We were astounded by that comment, as there is no place for this tree to go that would not cause property damage. We strongly feel that is irresponsible thinking - it's no wonder that insurers don't want to write homeowner's policies in the state of Florida. We have the opportunity to make our property and the two adjoining properties safer in a hurricane and we are being denied that right. Our neighbor supports removal of this tree. (Our rear neighbors are on vacation.) • Attachment F: Statement from our neighbor supporting removal • Attachment G: Photos Enjoyment of our Property As stated earlier, our primary catalyst for this permit request was the fact that we wish to put in a pool. Our original plan had the pool on the side of the yard where the tree was, because we needed to save some space for our 2 large dogs - the other side of the yard was flat and clear for this purpose. We eventually switched the plan only because we felt it would be less costly to level the stump to provide the flat, open area for the dogs than it would be to pull it for the pool. The tree takes up much of this area. If we had known we wouldn't be able to accomplish our plans, we would not have purchased the property. If we cannot remove the tree, we are not going to put in a pool - we don't want to spend 10s of thousands for a pool that is only going to be a headache and a mess. Therefore, we feel the permit denial is limiting our ability to enjoy our own property. Additionally, it should be noted that this would take a business opportunity away from a family-owned Clearwater pool company. • Attachment H: Statement from Pool Builder Summary In summary, we do not agree with the denial. We do not consider ourselves environmentally unfriendly people; we support conservation efforts. However, we still feel that all our reasons combine to make for a valid argument for removing this one tree. We are not asking to remove the other Laurel Oak on the front of our property. We respectfully request to be granted the right to proceed with our plans and replace the backyard Laurel Oak with wind-resistant palms or accent trees that are size appropriate for our yard, will reduce our financial liability, reduce danger of damage to all the surrounding dwellings in high winds, and allow us to fully enjoy our own property. CITY OF CLE&ATER - PLANNING & DEVELOPOT SERVICES a, 9A?` TREE REMOVAL PERMIT NAME OF OWNER ` { < < 4 SITE ADDRESS > d- 5 -5 f-04 (? w^ PHONE 7 Z 4 - = . OWNER'S ADDRESS LOCATION OF TREE(S) ON LOT- `SPECIES AND NUMBER OF TREE(S) ' L -.' 4 L, TO APPLICANT: A non-refundable fee of $15.00 for up to five trees to be removed, plus $3.00 for every tree above 5 to be removed is required. REASON FOR REMOVAL: 0 Construction •See "A" below ? Hazardous ? Declining ? Dead ? Other (Specify) Fee Rec'd. $ A) CONSTRUCTION Date 1. For new construction, additions or other modifications of a property which involve the removal of a protected tree(s), a site plan is required. This site plan must have a minimum scale of 1 "=20' for single family lots, or 1 "=50' for all others. The site plan must include: a. Major Changes of Grade f. Proposed Number of Parking Spaces j. All Protected Trees including: b. Structure Locations g. Proposed Underground Utilities (i.) Diameter of 4.5' above grade (DBH) c c, Driveways and Walks h. Zoning Setbacks (ii.) Surveyed Location d. Parking Arrangement I. All easements and Rights-of-Way (iii.) Species e. Required Number of Parking Spaces (iv.) Diseased or Insect Infested Trees k. Tree Barricade Detail & Locations 2. Protective barriers are required around all trees remaining on site during construction. These barricades must remain Intact during construction. The barriers must meet City Specifications. B) REPLACEMENTS 1. Tree replacement minimum standards: l0' overall height, 2.5" caliper, Florida Grade #1. See inspectors note below to determine the number of replacement trees required. Replacements required within 30 days. I hereby certify that as property owner or as representative of the property owner, I have verified that the tree(s) sought to be removed is wholly on property owned by the above-identified property owner, and should it be determined that the tree(s) are located wholly or partially on property owned by some other person, then, I agree to hold the City of Clearwater harmless in any claim made for wrongful removal of such tree(s). I hereby certify that this application together with any plans submitted is a true representation of all facts concerning the proposed removal of the tree(s). Any deviation from the permit issued shall render it null and void and be considered a yiolation of the Community Development Code. Signature of owner or applicant Printed Name t J Address City State Zip Agency Representing OCL # Phone/Cell Fax Required Replacement Trees: Applicable Code Section: - 12c 5 Based on the Inspector's comments and information submitted, the above removal applicatio ' ? Approved as Submitted ? Approved-Modified as Noted Above Denied r f f Signed Date: t l ??f Community Develop ent Coordinator or Designee/Inspector Valid for six months from the date of issuance. 1362.0001-GC White - Planning & Development Services Yellow - Applicant Rev. 2-03 v. Y G rr N 1 DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE - Not %/alid Until Signed By City Manager or his Designated Agent I'l-tilit, Removal Information Within the City of Clearwater most trees are "protected trees." A protected tree is a tree of four inches or greater u7 diameter at breast height (DBH) DBH is measured at four-and-one-half feet above the ground. Palm trees with 10 feet or more of clear trunk are also considered protected trees. Prohibited trees do not require a permit for removal and should not be relocated or planted in the city Trees prohibited in the city currently include: Punk (cojeput) - Melaleuca Quinquenervia or Melaleuca Leucodendron Brazilian Pepper - Schinus Terebinthifolius Australian Pine - Casuarina Equisetifolia Chinese Tallow - Sapium Sebiferum When healthy, protected trees are removed in Clearwater the whole community suffers. The first thing we lose is the beauty the tree provides. Other losses include environmental, energy savings, property value and wildlife habitats. Let's work together to help keep Clearwater "cool" by planting new trees and protecting existing ones. Protected trees require permits before removal and/or relocation. A permit will not be granted for the removal of a "specimen tree" or "historic tree," a tree the city determines to be of a high value to the community because of its type. size. age, exceptional quality or other professional criteria. If city staff determines that a tree has special qualities, they will recommend the tree be preserved on the site or moved to another location. On occasion, due to site constraints and/or the specifics of a particular proposal, it may be necessary to remove or destroy a protected tree. The replacement of protected trees and palms is required This may be done by planting other acceptable trees for the equivalent replacement value/size or by payment of a fee in lieu of replacement to the city tree bank. Staff will work with the applicant to determine the appropriate conditions of approval. Be aware of the following: • A completed application and S 15 fee must be submitted for the consideration of a Tree Removal Permit. • Removal of a protected tree without a permit could result in fines up to S 5,000. • Contractors are prohibited from leaving tree debris curb side for City of Clearwater collection. .ontact the Planning Department's Land Resource Specialist at (727) 562-4746 with specific uestions. Rv( ( ni nlentled I {`ees SHADE TREES - Low Water Use Florida Elm Shumard Oak Golden Rain Tree Slash Pine Live Oak Southern Red Labially Pine Cedar Pecan Sweetgum Pignut Hickory Weeping Elm Red Bay Winged Elm SHADE TREES - Moderate Water Use Bald Cypress Southern Magnol,?, Green Ash Surgarberry Red Maple Sycamore ACCENT TREES - Low Water Use Chickasaw Plum Sea Grape Crape Myrtle Wax Myrtle Florida Privet Youpon Holly Groundsel ACCENT TREES - Moderate Water Use Chaste Tree Sparkleberry Fringe Tree Upright Glossy Privet Bottlebrush Parsley Walter's Hawthorne Viburnum Simpson Weeping Stopper Yellow Anise ACCENT TREES - High Water Use Buttonbush Dahaon Holly Carolina (Pop) Elderberry Ash PALM TREES - Low Water Use Cabbage Palm Saw Palmetto Chinese Fan Palm Senegal Date Palm European Fan Palm Washington Palm Needle Palm Windmill Palm All replacement trees must be Florida Grade # 1. AN shade trees must be 10 feet in heyht with 2.5 of aGFer. Two Accent Trots = One Shade Tree Three Palm Trees = One Shade Tree 0 Pinellas County Extension's Time Topics: Live Oak or Laurel Oak - Do You Know the ... Page 1 of-$ 4 0 SEARCH BLOC FLAG BLOG 1 SHARE Next Blog» Create Blog I Sign In PiFtwilas Counily Extensios? P ouunt sts ?Q -14CS FLORIDA Coy , •. , r, Il;1ti Lxtrmiom WEDNESDAY, MARCH 05, 2008 Live Oak or Laurel Oak - Do You Know the Difference? By Pam Brown, Urban Horticulture Extension Agent, Pinellas County Extension When you first notice them, a majestic Live Oak and a Laurel Oak may look like the same tree, but there are some important differences that could be very important to you and your landscape over the years. Both are Florida native trees. First let's look at the characteristics of each tree: Live Oak, Quercus virginiana, http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/QUEVIRA.pdf is a large, sprawling, tree that grows to a mature height of 60 to 80 feet with a spread of 60 to 120 feet. It develops very strong wood that is quite resistant to decay. These trees can live for 300 years or more, are very tolerant to drought and are somewhat tolerant of salt. r .4 WELCOME... The leaves of the Live Oak have a Timely Topics, is a collection of many different articles written by Pinellas County Extension staff. The topics of the articles varv greatly, which demonstrates the diversity and depth of knowledge available. In some instances these articles will address current issues. While other articles may offer hints, tips, and tricks to help you make sustainable decisions. Company and product listings do not represent endorsement by either: Pinellas County Extension, Pinellas County or the University of mhtml:file:HC:\Documents and Settings\Leslie\Desktop\Pinellas County Extension's Timel... 8/31/2009 Pinellas County Extension's TimeTopics: Live Oak or Laurel Oak - Do You Know the ... Page 2 0 smooth edges that are sometimes toothed and are a lustrous green on top and pale green with very fine fuzz on the underside. Live Oaks will retain leaves until after the next year's foliage has appeared, making it a true evergreen. Clusters of three to five acorns are found on long stalks attached to twigs. The mature bark is a deep red-brown and slightly furrowed vertically. Laurel Oak, Quercus laurifo/" http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/QUELAUA.pdf is a tall, broad tree that grows to a height of 60 or more feet with a fairly symmetrical oval canopy spread of 40 R_ to 60 feet. The fast growth rare reaults y is nrnne to in relatively weak wood that break and decal. Laurel Oaks have a s? i espan of 50 to 70 years when grown in ideal conditions. These trees are Florida / Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL FOR FREE Enter your email address: Delivered by FeedBurner SUBSCRIBE NOW: moderately drought tolerant and have a low salt tolerance. `Subscribe to this The leaves of the Laurel Oak are smooth, narrow, shiny green on top and pale underneath with a!"' ! F R I ENDS yellow midrib. The margins of the eaves are either smooth or irregularly lobed. Acorns are about 1/2 inch long and found singly attached directly to the twig. The bark is a dark OUR reddish-brown that becomes deeply fissured with age. DEPARTMENTS Now Research at the University of Florida has-sTi-own that the rone to failure in hurricane winds due to the weak wood and their tendency to aecay'. These trees may not be appropriate to plant near a home or other structure. Their deep roots and a relatively short 4-H Youth Development Families & Consumers Lawn & Garden Sustainable Living Ca mhtml:file:HC:\Documents and Settings\Leslie\Desktop\Pinellas County Extension's Timel... 8/31/2009 Laurel Oak is very p Pinellas County Extension's Time?Topics: Live Oak or Laurel Oak - DoYou Know the height in relation to crown spread, along with strong wood help the Live Oak withstand the high winds and strong storm surges that can bring trees down during hurricanes. For research details: http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/documents/FR173.pdf POSTED BY CARRIE SHELBY @ 8:12 AN 4 LABELS: LANDSCAPE, LAUREL OAK, LIVE OAK, TREE 0 COMMENTS: Post a Comment Newer Post Home Older Post Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom) Page 3 of3 C3 BLOG ARCHIVE ? 2009 (43) V 2008 (96) ? December (6) ? November (6) ? October (5) ? September (2) ? August (8) ? July (12) ? June (10) ? May (9) ? April (9) V March (10) Buy Green for the Future Spring Break: Ideas for Family Fun FDA Warns of Salmonella Risk with Cantaloupes from... Cactus and Succulent Dish Gardens Citrus Questions? Seeing Red and Black Bugs? The Teen Brain is Different mhtml:file://C:\Documents and Settings\Leslie\Desktop\Pinellas County Extension's Timel... 8/31/2009 Hurricane Preparation for Trees iihe Landscape - Disaster Preparednessan Recovery - ... Page 1 of I 1) OF FLORIDA SOLUTIONS 1 WAS Extension for LIFE Hurricane Preparation for Trees in the Landscape By: Wendy L. Wilber, Environmental Horticulture Agent June 1 st marks the beginning of Hurricane season in Florida . Much of the hurricane damage that occurred last year in Alachua County was a result of trees falling and uprooting. There is still time to evaluate the trees in your landscape for potential hazards. Storm damage can be reduced with preventative action. Damage to trees from storms can be minimized by designing and implementing a tree management plan; contact your tree service company to make sure you are ready for hurricane season. There are certain species of trees that did not fare well in past hurricanes. These trees need •.. L... ......1. ...a...d ..I..?.r.l.. ?.. m..L? nre4 n4 fL.o.i .pro nn1 ? h.»orrl . Laurel Oak - Trees decay as they reach about 40 years old; roots rot, bark inclusions cause . Water Oak - Trees decay as they reach about 40 years old; roots rot. . Turkey Oak - Trees decay as they reach about 40 years old; roots rot. . Southern Red Oak - Butt rot occurs on old trees. . Chinaberry - Wood is weak; prevention is difficult. . Red Maple - Bark inclusions are common; branches with inclusions break easily in storms; preventative pruning can help minimize damage. . Pines - Pine branches broke and trunks snapped; prevention is difficult. . Pecan - Poor structure resulted in breakage; trees can be preventively pruned to minimize this. . Tulip Poplar - Many planted trees blew down in the hurricanes; there are other reports of good survival of planted trees; check for and cut circling roots at planting. . Southern Red Cedar - Weak wood breaks in strong storms; prevention is difficult. For more information concerning the lessons learned about trees in hurricanes, check out UF's web site by tree specialist, Dr. Ed Gilman. Pecan Tree ` t Questions? Contact Wendy Wilber, Environmental Horticulture Agent, at WLWilber(a_ifas.ufl.edu. Disaster Resources (Edis) Specific Types of Disaster Disaster Assistance Disaster Food Safety Disaster Preparation Disaster Recovery Disaster Resources Disasters -- Stress and Coping During the Disaster Home Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Mosquito Control Terrorism and the Family series: Making a Family Plan to Combat Terrorism Disaster Preparedness and Recovery (en espanol) mhtmLfile://C:\Documents and Settings\Leslie\Desktop\Hurricane Preparation for Trees in... 8/31/2009 5J.- WIND AND TREES: LESSON LEARNED FROM HURRICANES %10,111 -1. ks ?? Introduction .............................................................. Hurricane-force winds can be extremely damaging to communities and urban forests. Without question, trees can become hazardous and pose risks to personal safety and property. As destructive as these storms are, it is important not to forget that trees provide many environmental benefits, such as providing shade and energy conservation, reducing the well known "heat island" effect in cities caused by concrete and pavement, and increasing property values. Also, there are opportunities to better prepare for the next hurricane season by rebuilding a healthy urban forest. Valuable lessons can be learned from knowing more about how, when and why trees fail in storms. A key issue facing communities is how to manage the urban forest from an ecological standpoint so urban forests are healthier and more wind-resistant. A healthy urban forest is composed of trees that maximize ecosystem benefits while being able to withstand natural and anthropogenic stresses and disturbances, Lessons about the Urban Forest p. 3 Lessons about Trees p. 4 Lessons about Soil and Rooting p. 14 Conditions Final Considerations for New and p. 16 Older Trees such as wind from hurricanes and tropical storms, flooding, pollution, etc. This fact sheet reports on the lessons learned from research conducted after 10 hurricanes by scientists at the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). It also includes valuable field observations from professionals, such as urban foresters, scientists, and arborists. Our goal is to promote a healthy and more wind-resistant urban forest. This publication is aimed at citizens and communities who seek to rebuild and set better urban forest management practices so that future storms are less devastating. PUBLICATION N° FOR 118 ? MARY DURYEA i ELIANA KAMPF OF I FLORIDA WAS Extension The Urban Forest Hurricane Recovery Program http://treesandhurricanes. ifas.ufLedu 0 0 -F, z The Study Since 1992, when Hurricane Andrew struck South Florida, researchers at University of Florida/IFAS have been studying the impacts of hurricanes on the urban forest (Duryea et al. 1996). Hurricane wind damage to urban neighborhoods was measured again in 1995 When two hurricanes struck the Pensacola, FL area (Duryea 1997) and once more in 1998 when Hurricane Georges crossed over the entire island of Puerto Rico. In 2004, four hurricanes (Charley, Jeanne, Francis and Ivan) struck Florida with maximum sustained winds ranging from 105 to 145 mph. In 2oo5, Hurricanes Dennis, Katrina, and Rita struck the Gulf Coast of the U.S. (Figure 1). LOUISIANA MISSISSIPPI ALABAMA The impacts of these hurricanes gave us the opportunity to study over i5o urban tree species and their comparable responses to hurricanes (Duryea et al. 2007). Our goal was to answer the question, what makes a tree more wind resistant? Our main objective was to determine what biological, site, and cultural factors make trees more or less wind resistant. By evaluating these factors, we can understand the difference between species (i.e., whether they defoliate quickly in wind) and between certain practices (such as planting trees in groups compared to individual tree planting). This fact sheet describes the lessons and recommendations about the urban forest, trees (i.e. species and structure), and soil and rooting conditions. GEORGIA FLORIDA PUERTO RICO Figure O In the OF/IFAS study, urban trees were measured in neighborhoods following the nine hurricanes striking Florida and the Gulf Coast and one hurricane in Puerto Rico. For each hurricane, the year and maximum sustained wind speed (mph) are included. O F.-- G ® Wind and Trees: Lessons Learned from Hurricanes p.2 1?1 1. Lessons about the Urban Forest Lessor 1 The higher the wind speed of the hurricane, the more likely trees will fail. In the io hurricanes we studied, we measured standing, leaning, or fallen trees in yards. Standing trees were considered as survivors of the wind. Trees were considered not surviving if they had fallen or were leaning at less than a 45 degree angle. From these numbers we calculated the percent of urban forest lost in each hurricane, which ranged from 11% in Hurricane Erin to 21% in Hurricane Rita to 23% in Katrina to 38% in Hurricane Andrew (Figure 2). As wind speed increases, trees are more likely to suffer damage (i.e. uproot, break or lean), resulting in greater urban forest loss, as the graph shows. However, it is important to point out that in addition to wind intensity and speed, other factors influence urban forest damage during hurricanes: • Conditions accompanying the hurricane, such as precipitation and the time it takes to move through an area • Tree species, age, health, and structure • Site characteristics, such as soil conditions (soil depth, water table, soil compaction) and soil composition • Urban forest conditions, such as overall tree canopy density and composition 40 ?'3 These factors together will determine whether a tree will fail during winds. Biological factors such as tree species, age, health and condition are related to the urban forest composition and structure. For example, Pensacola, FL has a denser tree canopy composed of older trees and these trees suffered considerably more damage during hurricanes when compared to Miami, FL, with less canopy cover and younger tree species. Conditions accompanying the hurricane also influence tree fall. For instance, a slower-moving storm with a lot of precipitation will mean more water accumulating in the soil and less friction between roots and soil to hold trees up. Trees growing in shallow soils, such as in Miami-Dade County with soils no more than 1 foot deep, will also behave differently from those planted in deeper soils. Trees in shallow soils are more prone to blow over than trees rooted more deeply. Recommends ion Establish and a v urban forest to • Having a comprehensive tree management plan for your community • Beginning a structural pruning program for young and mature trees in more Wind -resistantspecies • Selecting a right species an esigning the right place • Planting high-quality trees with central leaders and good structure. 40 ANDREW 35 30 O 25 KATRINA * w 20 PITA? 0 O ? CHARLEY LL z 15 JEANNE C *GEORGE ERIN 5 R, polyn=0.7154 y = 0.0032x2 - 0.4948. - 30.57 0 75 95 115 135 155 175 WIND SPEED (MP!?? Figure Urban forest loss (%) at different wind speeds (mph) in ten hurricanes. cr nF,?R ® Wind and Trees: Lessons Learned from Hurricanes D- 3 0 0 E4 Lesson 2 Trees in groups survive winds better than trees growing individually. In Hurricanes Ivan and Jeanne, our research showed that trees growing in groups survived the winds better than individual trees (8o% versus 70% in Hurricane Ivan, and 88% versus 78% in Hurricane Jeanne.) A group was defined as five or more trees, each growing within io feet of another tree, but not in a row, as shown in Figure 3. Our research has also shown that the more rooting space trees have, the less likely they are to fail (see section Lessons Learned about Soil and Rooting Conditions for more details). Only if they have adequate soil space can trees develop a strong supporting root system. Recommendation 1 Plant trees in groups of at least five trees (Figure 4) as opposed to individually (Figure 5)• Recommendation 2 Plant a variety of species, ages and layers of trees and shrubs to maintain diversity in your community (Figure 6). II. Lessons about Trees Lesson 1 Some species resist wind better than others. In our measurements of trees after ten hurricanes, we have seen that some tree species are more resistant to wind than others. Wind resistance is defined as the ability or capacity of a tree to survive (remain standing and living) hurricane-force winds, which means that they do not easily uproot or break in the winds. One of the main objectives of this study was to develop lists of wind-resistant tree species. To complement our findings, we conducted a survey of arborists, scientists and urban foresters who ranked wind resistance of urban tree species they observed after hurricanes. We used these ratings along with our research x F^ j >;?q r t y ???? 1 }h y .. ,zl R• t b gure These sand live oaks grow naturally in groups and survived winds very well. Figure 0 Notice the large rooting space provided for the group of trees. gure These trees planted individually will grow too big for the soil space provided. Fic,( jr -, Q A healthy urban forest with a mixture of young and mature trees provides good canopy cover and benefits such as protection from high winds. cNna a © Wind and Trees: Lessons Learned from Hurricanes p• 4 1 R'5- results and the available scientific literature to classify broad-leaved, conifer, palm, and fruit tree species into highest, medium-high, medium-low and lowest wind resistance. The recommended tree species are divided into the Southeastern Coastal Plain region (including USDA hardiness zones 8 and 9) and Tropical and Subtropical regions (USDA hardiness zones io and ii). Recommendation 1 Plant tree species that have been shown to be more wind resistant. DICOTS Carya floridana, Florida scrub hickory Cornus florida, dogwood flex cassine, dahoon holly flex glabra, inkberry w Ilex opaca, American holly Z Ilex vomitoria, yaupon holly Q Lagerstroemia indica, crape myrtle in Magnolia grandiflora, southern magnolia W Quercus geminata, sand live oak 0: Quercus laevis, turkey oak p Quercus myrtiflora, myrtle oak ? Quercus virginiana, live oak 3 Podocarpus spp, podocarpus I- Vaccinium arboreum, sparkleberry w w CONIFERS 2 Taxodium distichum, baldcypress S Taxodium ascendens, pondcypress PALMS Butia capitata, pindo or jelly Phoenix canariensis, Canary Island date Phoenix dactylifera, date Sabal palmetto, cabbage, sabal DICOTS Acer saccharum, Florida sugar maple Acer palmatum, Japanese maple U Betula nigra river birch W Z Carpinus caroliniana, ironwood Carya glabra, pignut hickory N Carya tomentosa, mockemut hickory in Cercis canadensis, red bud IY Chionanthus virginicus, fringe tree 0 Diospyros virginiana, common persimmon Z Fraxinus americana, white ash Liquidambarstyraciflua, sweetgum 2 Magnolia virginiana, sweetbay magnolia Magnolia x soulangiana, saucer magnolia 2 X Nyssa aquatics, water tupelo Nyssa sylvatica, black tupelo 3 Ostrya virginiana, American hophombeam u1 Prunus angustifolia, chickasaw plum F Quercus michauxii, swamp chestnut Quercus shumardii, Shumard oak Quercus stellata, post oak Ulmus alata, winged elm Tropical/Subtropical Tree Species DICOTS Bursera simaruba, gumbo limbo Carya floridana, Florida scrub hickory Conocarpus erectus, buttonwood Chrysobalanus icaco, cocoplum Cordia sebestena, geiger tree Eugenia axillaris, white stopper Eugenia confusa, redberry Eugenia foetida, boxleaf stopper Guaiacum sanctum, lignum vitae flex cassine, dahoon holly Krugiodendrum ferreum, ironwood v Lagerstroemia indica, crape myrtle Z Magnolia grandiflora, southern magnolia Podocarpus spp, podocarpus V) Quercus virginiana, live oak W Quercus geminata, sand live oak CONIFERS Z Taxodium ascendens, pondcypress Z 3 Taxodium distichum, baldcypress H PALMS W Butia capitata, pindo or jelly Dypsis lutescens, areca = Coccothrinax argentata, Florida silver Hyophorbe lagenicaulis, bottle Hyophorbe verschaffeltii, spindle Latania loddigesii, blue latan Livistona chinensis, Chinese fan b Phoenix canariensis, Canary Island date Phoenix dactylifera, date Phoenix reclinata, Senegal date b Phoenix roebelenii, pygmy date Ptychoesperma elegans, Alexander Sabal palmetto, cabbage, sabal Thrinax morrisii, key thatch Thrinax radiata, Florida thatch Veitchia merrillii, Manila DICOTS Annona glabra, pond apple W Calophyllum calaba, Brazilian beautyleaf u Chrysophyllum oliviforme, satinleaf Z Coccoloba uvifera, sea grape N Coccoloba diversifolia, pigeon plum Uj Liquidambar styraciflua, sweetgum LU Lysiloma latsiliqua, wild tamarind Magnolia virginiana, sweetbay magnolia Z Nyssa sylvatica, black tupelo Sideroxylon foetidissimum, mastic 2 Simarouba glauca, paradise tree ID Swietenia mahagoni, mahogany = PALMS Caryota mitis, fishtail 2 a Cocos nucifera, coconut w Dypsis decaryi, triangle Roystonea elata, royal FRUIT TREES Litchi chinensis, lychee b Invasive, not recommended in rloriaa c Caution manage to prevent escape in Florida (Fox et al. 2005) CHAPTER © Wind and Trees: Lessons Learned from Hurricanes p. 5 Recommendation 2 Consider removing over-mature and hazardous tree species that have demonstrated poor survival in hurricanes. This is especially true if trees are over-mature and endangering lives and property, and belong to the -lowest wind resistance list. Some o these species can be seen below an inc ude sand pine, pecan, laurel oak, and water oak in north Florida and queue en pp m, Australian pine, melaleuca, weeping banyan, and Washington palm in South Florida (See chapters 8 and 9 for a full description of different wind-resistant species.). For borderline species, consult a professional urban forester or a certified arborist- DICOTS Acer negundo, boxelder Acer rubrum, red maple W Acer saccharinum, silver mapple V Celtis laevigata, sugarberry Z Celtis occidentalis, hackberry N Cinnamomum camphora, camphor " Eriobotrya japonica, loquat in Eucalyptus cinerea, silverdollar eucalyptus Ir Fraxinus pennsylvanica, green ash in Morus rubra, red mulberry Z Myrica cerifera, wax myrtle Persea borbonia, redbay 3 Platanus occidentalis, sycamore O0 Prunus serotina, black cherry f Quercus alba, white oak :D Quercus phellos, willow oak F3 Salix x sepulcralis, weeping willow W Ulmus americana, American elm f CONIFERS Pinus elliottii, slash pine Pinus palustris, longleaf pine Pinus taeda, loblolly pine DICOTS Carya illinoensis, pecan w Liriodendron tulipifera, tulip poplar Z Prunus caroliniana, Carolina laurelcherry u H Pyrus calleryana, Bradford pear to Quercus falcata, southern red oak of Quercus laurifolia, laurel oak Ix Quercus nigra, water oak p Sapium sebiferum, Chinese tallow Z Ulmus parvifolia, Chinese elm CONIFERS (A Juniperus silicicola, southern red cedar W x Cupressocyparis leylandii, Leyland cypress 0 Pinus clausa, sand pine i Pinus glabra, spruce pine PALMS Washingtonia robusta, Washington fan 49 ?b DICOTS Acer rubrum, red maple Bauhinia blakeana, Hong-Kong orchid Bucidas buceras, black olive Callistemon spp, bottlebrush W Cinnamomum camphora, camphor Z Delonix regia, royal poinciana Enterolobium cyclocarpum, ear tree to Eriobotrya japonica, loquat W Eucalyptus cinerea, silverdollar eucalyptus ax Ficus aurea, strangler fig 0 Kigelia pinnata, sausage tree Z Myrica cerifera, wax myrtle Persea borbonia, redbay 3 Platanus occidentalis, sycamore O Quercus laurifolia, laurel oak J Tabebuia heterophylla, pink trumpet tree Terminalia catappa, tropical almond CONIFERS W Pinus elliottii, slash pine Pinus palustris, longleaf pine FRUIT TREES Averrhoa carambola, star-fruit, carambola Citrus spp, oranges, limes, grapefruits Mangifera indica, mango DICOTS Casuarina equisetifolia, Australian pine Cassia fistula, golden shower Chorisia speciosa, floss-silk tree Ficus benjamina, weeping banyan Grevillea robusta, silk oak W Jacaranda mimosifolia, jacaranda Z Melaleuca quinquenervia, melaleuca Q Quercus nigra, water oak Peltophorum pterocarpa, yellow poinciana N Prunus caroliniana, Carolina laurelcherry WW Sapium sebiferum, Chinese tallow ' Q Spathodea campanulate, African tuliptree Z Tabebuia caraiba, silver trumpet tree Ulmus parvifolia, Chinese elm y CONIFERS W Araucaria heterophylla, Norfolk Island pine 3' x Cupressocyparis leylandii, Leyland cypress Juniperus silicicola, southern red cedar Pinus clausa, sand pine PALMS Syagnus romanzoffiana, queen ` Washingtonia robusta, Washington fan FRUIT TREES Persea americana, avocado a Prohibited in FL b Invasive, not recommended in FL c Caution. manage to prevent escape in FL (Fox et at 2005) We present these lists with the caveat that no tree is perfectly wind-proof and that many other factors contribute to wind resistance including soil conditions, wind intensity, previous cultural practices, tree health and age. These lists do not include all trees that could be wind resistant. They list those species encountered during our studies in large enough numbers to run statistical comparisons. I CHAPTER 0 Wind and Trees: Lessons Learned from Hurricanes p• 6 Recommendation 3 When a tree fails, plant a new tree in its place. In the streets of Bagdad, Florida, laurel oaks such as the one on the house in the background are being replaced with more wind-resistant, longer living street tree species, such as live oaks (Figure 7). The healthy urban forest this will create, with its mixture of young and mature trees, will provide benefits such as good canopy cover, diversity and mitigation of high winds. IN N *41 7 - 1*1 F,,_1 I O Community efforts to replace trees that have failed in storms are essential for a healthier and more wind-resistant urban forest. A resident in Bagdad, FL shows a newly planted and longer living live oak. 40 i_? 7 When comparing survival of sand live oak, live oak, and laurel oak in four panhandle Florida hurricanes (Erin, Dennis, Opal and Ivan), laurel oak had poorer overall survival than both live oak and sand live oak (Duryea et al. 2007) (Figure 8). However, in two South Florida hurricanes (Jeanne and Charley), both survival and branch loss for these oaks were similar. Speculations about the reasons for this lack of difference include: (i) Laurel oak in South Florida may be a different cultivar or variety than those in North Florida and (2) Sandier soils in South Florida and their accompanying lower site quality may result in laurel oaks with shorter heights or lower height-to-diameter ratio (as occurs between the North Florida and South Florida varieties of slash pine (Pinus elliottii var. elliottii and var. densa). Still, many authors point to live oak as a tree with strong wood and little failure in hurricanes (Touliatos and Roth 1971; Swain 1979; Hook et al. i99i; Barry et al. 1993)• Recommendation Become familiar with the recommended tree species and how they perform in natural and urban ecosystems in your community. The same species in different locations may behave differently due to soils, climate, local disease problems, and other factors. 100 so 60 N 40 20 ¦ Sane.-eak Live aak Laurel oak ?r G<Q,OOi OFAC $VY+ 5WIViV III L Ivan 130 mph 0 Laurel oak had the lowest survival rate compared to live oak and sand live oak in all four panhandle hurricanes. 7 CHAPTER © Wind and Trees: Lessons Learned from Hurricanes I P. O Erin Dennis Opal 85 mph 120 mph 125 mph HURRIC'.'<; (w,nd speed: 0 Lesson 2 As a group, palm species survive hurricanes better than broad-leaved and conifer trees. When compared to broad-leaved and other conifer trees (such as pines), palms have often been observed to be more resistant to winds. Palms grow differently from other trees because they have one terminal bud. If that bud is not damaged, palms may lose all their fronds (leaves) and still survive. Our research shows that palms in the coastal plain and tropical and subtropical regions are often more resistant to winds (Figure 9). However, individual palm species do vary in their responses to wind like. Examples would be queen and Washington palms which have exhibited poor survival in south Florida during hurricanes (Figure io). 0 F, 8 Recommendation 1 Consider planting wind-resistant palm species. Examples include as sabal palm, Canary Island date palm, and manila palm. Recommendation 2 Monitor palms carefully after storms. Bud damage may not show up immediately after the storm. Allow at least 6 months for palms to put out new fronds. Palms should also be checked for hidden root, stem or bud damage. 00 so 60 40 20 0 ERIN JEANNE OPAL IVAN CHARLEY ANDREW 85 mph 120 mph 125 mph 130 mph 145 mph 16S mph HURRICANE (wind p,. -j O 80 70 60 50 Q 40 Y 30 20 10 0 CHAP1111 0 Wind and Trees: Lessons Learned from Hurricanes P,_8 The fallen queen palm in this picture, has exhibited poor survival in south Florida hurricanes, as can be seen in the graph. JEANNE CHARLEY JEANNE 120 mph 14S mph 165 mph HURRICANE (wind speed) 10 Lesson 4 Lesson 5 Trees that lose all or some of their leaves in hurricanes are not necessarily dead. The greater the wind speed, the more leaves trees lose during hurricanes. Trees can loose all or some of their leaves in most hurricanes. However, leaf loss does not mean the tree is dead, rather it means the tree is temporarily unable to photosynthesize (produce food) and store energy. With time, the tree will produce new leaves which are a sign of recovery, since they restore the tree's ability to photosynthesize and bring the tree back to health. Some species defoliate (lose leaves) easily during winds. Losing leaves may be a good strategy, helping the tree to better resist winds. Our research in Hurricane Ivan found that trees that lost their leaves survived the winds better. Live oak (in north Florida) (Figure 13) and gumbo limbo (in south Florida) are examples of trees which readily lose leaves and small branches and stand up well to winds. Recommendation Wait, watch for leaves, and monitor the tree's health. Most trees will leaf out again in a few months or in the spring of the following year. If the tree does not grow new leaves by the spring or early summer following the hurricane, it is not likely to recover. Note that some species, such as pines, may not recover if defoliated. Native tree species survived better in South Florida hurricanes (Jeanne, Andrew, and Charley). In our research, native trees survived better in south Florida hurricanes but not in north Florida (Hurricane Ivan) (Figure 14). Native species also lost fewer branches than exotic species in Jeanne (36% versus 21%) and Charley (39% versus 36%) in south Florida. Some of the exotic species with low survival in south Florida were melaleuca, Australian pine and queen palm as compared to native species with high survival, such as live oak, gumbo limbo and sabal palm. In tropical and subtropical areas, exotics represent a large proportion of the urban forest (for Hurricane Jeanne, exotics made up 38% of the trees in the urban forest, for Hurricane Charley, 42% and for Hurricane Andrew 64% were exotics). In the southeast coastal plains (Hurricane Ivan), exotic tree species make up 9% of the trees in the urban forest. The major exotic species were crape myrtle, Chinese tallow (a prohibited invasive species), camphor tree, (an invasive species), Bradford pear and palms such as pindo and Washington palms. These differences in the composition of the urban forest may explain why, with fewer exotics in their population, natives did not survive better in the coastal plain during Hurricane Ivan. Native trees also survived winds better in south Florida hurricanes when compared to Puerto Rico (Hurricane Georges) (Figure 15). Out of the 35 tree species measured in Puerto Rico, only 4 were native to the island. The lighter winds and conditions of Hurricane Georges showed no differences between native and exotic species. Recommendation Consider native tree species when selecting trees for planting. Native trees should receive strong consideration when selecting trees for the urban forest. Additional benefits of using native species include their values for wildlife and native ecosystem conservation. Figure Live oak defoliates easily in hurricanes. Leaf loss was positively correlated with survival during Hurricane Ivan, meaning that trees that lost the most leaves withstood winds best. CHAPTER ©_ Wind and Trees: Lessons Learned from Hurricanes p. 10 • 100 n.s. 80 I 60 J i v i 40 I 20 l 0` 1 IVAN II JEANNE CHARLEY North Florida South Florida HURRICANES ¦ NATIVE EXOTIC **** statistically significant n.s. not statistically significant 0 100 n.s. **,* 80 J 60 Ul 40 - 20 ,k GEORGES II JEANNE CHARLEY _ ANDREW HURRICANES ¦ NATIVE EXOTIC * ** * statisti cally significant n.5. not statisti cally significant Figure 0 Figure Native trees survived better than exotic trees in Hurricanes Jeanne and Charley but not in Hurricane Ivan. Native trees survived better than exotic trees in three South Florida hurricanes but not in Puerto Rico (Hurricane Georges). 40 Lesson 6 Older trees are more likely to fail In hurricanes As trees grow and age, they become more susceptible to insects and diseases, branches and parts of the tree begin to die, they become less flexible, and they may be more vulnerable to winds. Our research shows that larger and older trees lose more branches in hurricanes. Larger trees (40 to 79 inches in diameter) lost a greater percentage of their branches compared to small trees (less than 8 inches in diameter) (Figure 16). Every tree species has an inherent life span. Some tree species live longer than others (Table 1). It is important to keep in mind that risk of failure in wind increases with age. For example, the life span of laurel oak is 5o years; it begins to decay and show signs of diseases as it reaches 40 years. The older a tree gets, the greater the likelihood of diseases and pathogens, breakage during winds, and the greater the risk of it causing damage when it fails. Recommendation 1 Consider life span when managing urban forests for wind resistance (Table i). Life spans of Tree Species in the Forest Short-lived Medium-lived Long-lived (< 50 years old (50-100 years old) (> 100 years old) laure oak African tuliptree live oak red bud paradise tree sweetgum bottle brush red maple southern magnolia Hong-Kong orchid tree gumbo limbo baldcypress jacaranda sea grape mahogany * Note: Trees in urban areas have shorter life spans than trees in the forest. Recommendation 2 ...... Over-mature trees that present a hazard to people and property should be removed and replaced by new trees (Figure 17). These trees should be monitored regularly for structural defects. Consult with a certified arborist or urban forester. CHAPTER ©'; Wind and Trees: Lessons Learned from Hurricanes P 11 • P'l Lesson 3 Pines may show no immediate visible damage after hurricanes but may decline over time. In our study, we measured pines right after hurricanes and they looked green and healthy (Figure ii). However, we went back three months after Hurricane Charley and found that 27% of the standing south Florida slash pines and 48% of the standing longleaf pines had died. Pines have been observed to be very sensitive to wind damage. They may show no immediate visible damage after high winds but may die sometime later. They can die slowly over a period of 6 months to 2 years after wind storms. Some may remain green for a year or more, and then suddenly turn yellow (Figure 12) and quickly progress to brown needles in a very short period. The causes of yellowing of the needles and pine death are not completely understood. It is likely due to hidden damage produced by bending and twisting during hurricane-force winds. Prolonged winds may also rupture smaller roots without breaking the larger support roots. The injured stems and roots are unable then to supply the water and nutrients needed in the crown, resulting in pine decline and death. Recommendation Monitor pines carefully. Sometimes there is hidden damage and the tree declines over time. Look for signs of stress or poor health. Check closely for insects. Weakened pines may be more susceptible to beetles and diseases. L A-A A .. r? '?;. ' A Pines may look green and healthy just like this one immediately after Hurricane Charley. Yet, they can slowly or suddenly die in the aftermath of the storm. Pine decline as a result of wind damage. CHAPTER © Wind and Trees: Lessons Learned from Hurricanes P• 9 C. • 60 - so 40 - N U1 0 = 30 U Z Q m 20 10 0 I_. I CHARLEY North Florida South Florida HURRICANES ¦ 0-8 inches 'WTI 21-39 inches * * * * statistically significant 9-20 inches 40-79 inches m Figure W The larger and older a tree is, the more branches it will lose. ("" means that larger trees loose significantly more branches than smaller trees.) 17? Many laurel oaks like this one in Bagdad, FL are over 50 years old and do not survN hurricanes well. Decay may be present without obvious signs, like this tree that fell in Hurricane Rita, revealing an entirely hollow stem. gure This laurel oak had a decayed root system that made it unstable in wind. 0 ?'a Lesson 7 Unhealthy trees are predisposed to damage Old trees with decayed root systems, stem decay, or large dead branches are vulnerable to hurricanes. Decay, a major cause of tree failure, is caused by fungi that weaken wood (Figure 18). Cracks, seams, butt swell, dead branch stubs and large, older wounds suggest internal decay. They can be weak points on a trunk and increase the likelihood of tree failure. Mushrooms at the base of the tree trunk might also indicate root problems. They can be the sign of Arrniliaria or other fungi than can decay roots, creating unstable trees (Figure ig). Root rot can be diagnosed with careful, regular inspections by qualified arborists. R mmendati n Remove hazard trees before the wind does. Have a certi a ar orist inspect your trees for signs of disease and decay. They are trained to advise you on tree health. t ,tr ? a {y}` y f 4• d' _t ?t • '. ?? to 1P:t _. ? , a i -Opt ^?,'t+c criaPTER © Wind and Trees: Lessons Learned from Hurricanes p. 12 IVAN JEANNE 0 0 F, is Lesson 8 Trees with poor structure or included bark are more vulnerable in the wind. A tree with two or more trunks or stems of equal size originating from the same point on the tree is said to have co-dominant stems. Co-dominant stems may develop bark inclusions, which are weak unions between branches and are very susceptible to breakage (Figure 20). To develop strong structure, trees need to be managed with structural pruning. Recommendation 1 For a more wind-resistant, sustainable landscape, plant high-quality trees with central leaders and good form. Recommendation 2 Follow with a preventive structural pruning program of young and mature trees. I__esson 9 Well-pruned trees survive hurricanes b than poorly pruned or unpruned trees. Poor pruning practices, such as topping or removing large branches, make trees more susceptible to wind failure. Old, large pruning cuts can become an entry point for fungi that begin the decay process (Figure 21). In our study of Master Gardeners after Hurricane Andrew in 1992 (Duryea et al. 1996), we found that trees that had been pruned properly (not topped and with more open and well-distributed crowns) survived high winds better than unpruned trees (Figure 22). We re-analyzed this data using more broad-leaved tree species-black olive, gumbo limbo, bottlebrush, royal Poinciana, live oak, West Indian mahogany, and white cedar. Survival for pruned trees was 73% compared to 47% for unpruned trees, showing that overall, pruned trees are less likely to fail in hurricanes. [_:q 1 irG Fig Ile ® Fig-jr,"' 19 Notice the the The tree in the Pruned trees dark area at the photo broke at survived top of the split: it the weak point Hurricane Andrew is a bark inclusion. created by the significantly better The stem broke in decay from a poor than unpruned Hurricane Katrina pruning cut. trees. at this point of weak attachment. R CHAPTER ©; Wind and Trees: Lessons Learned from Hurricanes p• 13 • Recommendation 1 Begin a preventive pruning program for both young and mature trees. The main goal of preventive pruning is to reduce the length of branches competing with the main trunk. Recommendation 2 Select the right tree for the right location to avoid poor pruning practices. To allow healthy crown development, plant considering the aerial space needed for a mature-sized tree (Figure 23). Under power lines, the preferred option is to plant smaller trees that will better fit the space (Figure 24). .rAf ?1 A, 0 LI-14 III. Lessons about Soil and Rooting Conditions Lesson 1 Trees with more rooting space survive better. The most important factor in designing a healthy urban landscape is also probably the one most often overlooked -that is providing enough soil space for tree roots to grow. In Hurricane Georges (Puerto Rico), we measured rooting space for trees and found that with more rooting space, tree survival during winds was higher (Table 2). Rooting Space and Survival Rate TREE LOCATION SURVIVAL RATE ROOTING SPACE Streets 0 to 3 m2 Parking lots 64% Yards (0 to 39 ft_) Yards 73% 4 to 7 ml Parks (40 to 75 ft2) Campuses > 7 m2 Parks 91% (> 75 ft2) Yards r Soil should provide plenty of open space to allow growth of the trunk and development of the main flare roots. To provide anchorage for the tree, roots need to spread beyond the edge of the canopy and grow deep into the soil. Sidewalks, curbs, buildings, parking lots, driveways and other urban structures restrict root development. A strong supporting root system with adequate rooting space is the most critical factor to the ability of trees to withstand hurricane-force winds in urban landscapes. Recommendation ft ?(`? ?- IAA ??55 F? Give trees enough rooting space based on their 4j15 ?l mature size: • Small trees need at least io feet by io feet. • Medium trees need 20 feet by 20 feet. • Large trees need at least 30 feet by 30 feet. I Figure This misshapen pruned tree is the result of selecting the wrong tree species for the location. Plant small trees such as buttonwood (pictured), dogwood, crape myrtle, and wax myrtle under power lines. t k ! Wind and Trees: Lessons Learned from Hurricanes p• 14 D Lesson 2 Good soil properties, such as adequate soil depth, a deep water table, and no compaction, help wind resistance. Trees without deep roots can become unstable and fall over in strong winds. Trees in shallow soils are more likely to blow over than trees rooted more deeply (Figure 25). Trees planted in compacted soil grow very poorly and are weak and unhealthy. This is especially true when the soil is poorly drained or the water table is high (Figure 26). Recommendation 1 Make sure that planting sites have 3 feet of soil depth with a deep water table to allow healthy root system development. 0 Eis 44. - `? :'• . i ' e. r Recommendation 2?" " rJ Keep soil compaction to a minimum. `'l} y Lesson 3 Damaged root systems make trees vulnerable in the wind. Roots anchor the tree. It is important that roots under the canopy are not cut because many roots are located just below the surface of the soil. Tree roots need to extend out from a tree in all directions in order to stabilize it against wind throw. When roots under the canopy are cut, trees are more predisposed to falling over (Figure 27). Recommendation 2 . .................... Do not damage or cut main support roots during construction. Never cut roots closer than the distance of 5 times the trunk diameter. Be aware that when tree roots are cut, the anchoring system of the tree may be harmed and compromised. 3 +1 y Figure ® Figure W" Shallow soils (less The high water than 1 foot deep) in table in this yard Miami-Dade did not did not permit deep help this tree develop root development an adequate root and resulted in system to anchor it in trees being more Hurricane Andrew. vulnerable to the winds of Hurricane Rita. Few roots were deeper than 12 inches Figure The roots on these trees were cut to build a new sidewalk, making the trees vulnerable when Hurricane Georges struck Puerto Rico in 1998. due to a high water table. ( '05 CHAPTER © wind and Trees: Lessons Learned from Hurricanes p• 15 0 0 E16 IV. Final Considerations A healthy and more wind-resistant urban forest depends on managing existing trees well, and, at the same time, establishing new trees properly. Follow these recommendations when managing older trees or planting new trees: Older Tree Managemeni ................................................... • Consider life span when managing urban forests for wind resistance. Over-mature trees should be removed and replaced by new trees. • Remove hazard trees before the wind does. Have a certified arborist inspect your trees for signs of disease and decay in trees. Consider removing tree species that have demonstrated poor survival in hurricanes, especially if they are over-mature and endangering lives and property. e careful not to damage or cut main support roots during construction. Be aware that when the tree roots are cut, the anchoring system of the tree may be harmed and compromised. • Establish a preventive structural pruning program of both young and mature trees. • When a tree fails, plant a new tree in its place. • Plant tree species that have been shown to be more wind resistant. • To reduce your risk, maintain diversity in your yard and community by planting a mixture of species, ages and layers of trees and shrubs. • Plant trees in groups as opposed to individually. • Give trees enough rooting space based on their mature size: small trees need at least 10 feet by 10 feet, medium trees 20 feet by 10 feet, and large trees 30 feet by 30 feet. • To allow healthy root system development, make sure that planting sites have 3 ft of soil depth with a deep water table. Keep soil compaction to a minimum. • To allow healthy crown development (instead of misshapen pruning) under power lines, plant small trees such as buttonwood, dogwood, crape myrtle, and wax myrtle. • For a more wind-resistant, sustainable landscape, plant high-quality trees with central leaders and good form. Begin a structural pruning program for young trees. CHAPTUZ ©',. Wind and Trees: Lessons Learned from Hurricanes p. 16 C? References Barry, P.J., C. Doggett, R.L. Anderson, and K.M. Swain, Sr. 1993• How to evaluate and manage storm-damaged forest areas. Management Bulletin R8-MB 63 of the USDA Forest Service, Southern Region. Atlanta, GA. 11 pp. Duryea, M.L., G.M. Blakeslee, W.G. Hubbard, and R.A. Vasquez. 1996. Wind and trees: A survey of homeowners after Hurricane Andrew. J. Arboric. 22(1):4.4-50. Duryea, M.L. 1997. Wind and trees: Surveys of tree damage in the Florida Panhandle after Hurricanes Erin and Opal. Circular 1.183 of the University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service (http://edis. ifas.ufl.edu/). Gainesville, FL. 7 pp. Duryea, M.L., E. Kampf, and R.C. Littell. 2007. Hurricanes and the Urban Forest: I. Effects on Southeastern U.S. Coastal Plain Tree Species. Arboric. & Urban Forestry 33(2)83-97• Duryea, M.L., E. Kampf, R.C. Littell and Carlos D. Rodriguez-Pedraza. 2007. Hurricanes and the Urban Forest: II. Effects on Tropical and Subtropical Tree Species. Arboric. & Urban Forestry 33(2):98-112. Gilman, E. 2005. Tree selection for landscapes. Website with 68o Tree Fact Sheets: http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/ woody/planting/TreeSelectionlntroduction.htm of the University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. Gainesville, FL. Hook, D.D., M.A. Buford, and T.M. Williams. 1991. Impact of Hurricane Hugo on the South Carolina coastal plain forest. J. Coastal Res. (Special issue) 8:291-300. l-7 Swain, K.M. 1979. Minimizing timber damage from hurricanes. S. Lumberman 239:107-109. Touliatos, P. and E. Roth. 1971. Hurricanes and trees: Ten lessons from Camille. J. For. 285-289• For More Information on: Wind-Resistant Urban Design Chapter 6: Urban Design for a Wind Resistant Urban Forest Wind-Resistant Species Chapter 8: Selecting Southeastern Coastal Plain Tree Species for Wind Resistance Chapter 9: Selecting Tropical and Subtropical Tree Species for Wind Resistance High-Quality Trees Chapter 10: Selecting Quality Trees from the Nursery Structural Pruning Program Chapter 12: Developing a Preventive Pruning Program in Your Community: Young Trees Chapter 13: Developing a Preventive Pruning Program in Your Community: Mature Trees Urban Forest Management Chapter 14: Developing an Urban Forest Management Plan for Hurricane-Prone Communities This document is FOR 118, one of the Urban Forest Hurricane Recovery Program series of the School of Forest Resources and Conservation and the Environmental Horticulture Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date September 2007. Visit the EDIS Web site at http://edis.lfas.ufl.edu and http://treesandhurricanes.itas.ufl.edu. Mary Duryea, Professor, School of Forest Resources and Conservation and Associate Dean for Research, IFAS; Eliana Kampf, Urban Forester, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Gainesville, FL 32611 Design and layout: Mariana Wallig and Julie Walters. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (iFAs) is an Equal Employment Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension Service office. Florida Cooperative Extension Service / Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences / University of Florida / Larry R. Arrington, Dean. © Wind and Trees: Lessons Learned from Hurricanes P. 17 • • F I state that I am the owner of the property adjoining the subject property at 2325 Stag Run Blvd. I support and encourage the removal of the large oak tree in their yard due to its proximity and potential danger to my property. Rosa Prieto - Date 2321 Stag Run Blvd 0 0 R i Tz Base of tree in reference to side and rear fence (rear neighbor's roof behind Bird of Paradise) Showing height of tree and proximity to our roof (? 1 1 i C? c Proximity to side neighbor and how much yard space the base eliminates. Proximity to neighbor's. * J? I? August 31, 2009 City of Clearwater Code Appeal Board re: Jerry Mitchell 2325 Stag Run Clearwater, FL 33765 Dear Sir: We have applied for a permit with the City of Clearwater on the above referenced address. We signed a contract with the homeowner on the basis that the pool would be installed if the tree was able to be removed; however, you have now denied this request. As a long time citizen of the City of Clearwater, who has requested to have several trees removed, I am asking that you reconsider allowing Mr. Mitchell to remove said tree from his property so we can move forward with his pool installation. Thank you in advance for your time in reconsidering this matter. Sincerely, A ?. . Ro rson, President Tri-County Pools, Inc. CPC-0209636 2559-D Nursery Rd. 9 Clearwater, FL 33764 • (727) 538-2363 I Rk.l. '7/ r? M ??°? fry ?!? ?`' t 4 i AS? ?`.. > , ? ?, ,,?.1, ? ?, r? •= :f ?. ? ? .. • ? °!? ,? ?'? ate. •r 1 , r'+,''y` ?;? i '?. + 1=r•? w Al Aw 4,00 "ob j?y.ms s °` f f .r" .'A r i.T /"' ? ?i?'tI ??f t f t A- ? -. s ?' s_` . A . "?,. • ? :??r r j?? ? `hi-? 7?4 Sr APA +w- ? ?,/,_ ?i ,'%! i Sq `<- ., ?CC? .wit a ?` •b? " , 1 IL a t dl j--- Ad Ts:? a ?. Al? I ?® I it-am a . ? '.-fie M. r 1?' r ?i CITY OF CLEARWATER NOTICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD PUBLIC HEARINGS The Community Development Board of the City of Clearwater, Florida, will hold public hearings on Tuesday, October 20, 2009, beginning at 1:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, in City Hall, 3rd floor, 112 South Osceola Ave, Clearwater, Florida, to consider the following requests: NOTE: All persons wishing to address an item need to be present at the BEGINNING of the meeting. Those cases that are not contested by the applicant, staff, neighboring property owners, etc. will be placed on a consent agenda and approved by a single vote at the beginning of the meeting. 1. U. S. 19 Group, LLC is requesting flexible development approval to permit a change of use from retail sales and services to animal grooming and boarding within the Commercial (C) District within an existing 18,022 square foot shopping center with 82 off-street parking spaces and no changes to the building height, structure setbacks or building, as a Comprehensive hifill Redevelopment Project, under the provisions of Community Development Code Section 2- 704.C.. (Proposed Use: Animal Grooming and Boarding) at 25020 U.S. Highway 19 N, Parcel No. 31-28-16-00000-440-0300. Assigned Planner: A. Scott Kurleman, Planner III. FLD2009- 08024 2 Marv G. Realty, Inc (North Beach Wine & Spirits, Inc.) is requesting flexible development approval to permit a change of use from restaurant to alcoholic beverage sales within the Tourist (T) District within an existing 6,254 square foot shopping center with 26 off-street parking spaces and no changes to the building height, structure setbacks, or building as a Comprehensive Infill Redevelopment Project, under the provisions of Community Development Code Section 2- 803.C.. (Proposed Use: Alcoholic Beverage Sales) at 490 Mandalay Avenue, Parcel No. 08-29- 15-16398-000-0570. Assigned Planner: A. Scott Kurleman, Planner III. FLD2009-08025 ,3. Gerald Mitchell is appealing a Level One (Tree Removal Permit) denial decision pursuant to Community Development Code Section 4-501.A.4, that a request to remove one laurel oak tree in conjunction with the construction of a swimming pool and deck does not meet the removal criteria set forth in Community Development Code Section 3-1205 B.2.A. (Existing Use: Detached Dwelling) at 2325 Stag Run Blvd, Parcel No. 07-29-16-16862-000-2330. Presenter: Richard Albee, Land Resource Specialist. APP2009-00006 Interested parties may appear and be heard at the hearing or file written notice of approval or objection with the Planning Director or City Clerk prior to the hearing. Any person who decides to appeal any decision made by the Board or Council, with respect to any matter considered at such hearings, will need to request a record of the proceedings and, for such purpose, may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based per Florida Statute 286.0105. Community Development Code Sec 4-206 states that party status shall be granted by the Board in quasi-judicial cases if the person requesting such status demonstrates that s/he is substantially affected. Party status entitles parties to personally testify, present evidence, argument and witnesses, cross-examine witnesses, appeal the decision and speak on reconsideration requests, and needs to be requested and obtained during the case discussion before the CDB. An oath will be administered swearing in all persons giving testimony in quasi-judicial public hearing cases. If you wish to speak at the meeting, please wait to be recognized, then state and spell your name and provide your address. Persons without party status speaking before the CDB shall be limited to three minutes unless an individual is representing a group in which case the Chairperson may authorize a reasonable amount of time up to 10 minutes. Five days prior to the meeting, staff reports and recommendations on the above requests will be available for review by interested parties between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., weekdays, at the City of Clearwater, Planning Department, 100 S. Myrtle Ave., Clearwater, FL 33756. Please contact the assigned planner at 562-4567 to discuss any questions or concerns about the project and/or to better understand the proposal and review the site plan. Michael Delk Cynthia E. Goudeau, MMC Planning Director City Clerk City of Clearwater P.O. Box 4748, Clearwater, FL 33758-4748 NOTE: Applicant or representative must be present at the hearing. A COPY OF THIS AD IN LARGE PRINT IS AVAILABLE IN OFFICIAL RECORDS AND LEGISLATIVE SERVICES. ANY PERSON WITH A DISABILITY REQUIRING REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEETING SHOULD CALL (727) 562-4093 WITH THEIR REQUEST. To learn more about presenting to Clearwater boards and City Council, go to http://clearwater.granicus.comNiewPublisher.php?view id=11 and click on "Resident Engagement Video." You can also check the informational video out from any Clearwater public library. Ad: 10/8/09 Mitchell Gerard Walker, Grace E 2325 Stag Run Blvd Clearwater, FL 33765 APP2009-00006 Coachman Ridge Homeowners Barbara Shepard, President 1492 Ridgetop Way Clearwater, FL 33758 Clearwater Neighborhoods Coalition Shelley Kuroghlian, President 1821 Springwood Circle S Clearwater, FL 33763 0 0' ?r a? CITY OF C LEARWAT E R PosT OFFICE Box 4748, CLEARWATER, FLORIDA 33758-4748 MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUILDING, 100 SoUTH MYRTLE AvENUE, CLEARWATER, FLORIDA 33756 TELEPHONE (727) 5624567 FAx (727) 5624865 PLANNING DEPARTMENT October 27, 2009 Mr. Gerald Mitchell 2325 Stag Run Blvd. Clearwater, FL 33765 RE: Development Order regarding case APP2009-00006 at 2325 Stag Run Blvd. Dear Mr. Mitchell: This letter constitutes a Development Order pursuant to Section 4-206.D.6 of the Community Development Code. On October 20, 2009, the Community Development Board (CDB) reviewed your application appealing an administrative determination denying the ability to remove one laurel oak tree, Quercus laurifolia, under the appeal provisions of Section 4-501 of the Community Development Code, for property located at 2325 Stag Run Blvd. The Community Development Board DENIED the appeal application because the appellant did not show compliance with all of the following criteria: 1) The decision appealed from misconstrued or incorrectly interpreted the provisions of the - -- ? '`-_ -T ---- a a U01111lliiiiiiy 1lcJclv?ruLCUL Code; ariu 2) That the decision will be in harmony with the general intent and purpose of the Community Development Code; and 3) Will not be detrimental to the public health, safety and general welfare. The decision of the Land Resource Specialist on August 26, 2009, was confirmed by a majority of the members of the CDB. Please be aware that an appeal of the CDB decision must be initiated within 14 days of the date of the decision by the Board. The appeal period for your case will expire on November 03, 2009. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Rick Albee, Land Resource Specialist, at 727-562-4741. Sincerely, Michael e c, Planning and Development Director S: (Planning DepartmentICD BWppealsOag Run 2325 (LMDR) Mitchell 2009.10 -Denied - RAUPP2009-00006 Development Order.doc AIN TOLIAL EMPLOYMENT AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER