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Home My WebLink About2018 10 08 Regular 500 Arbor Master Plan and Arbor Code UpdateCOMMISSION AGENDA ITEM 500 Informational Consent Public Hearings Regular X October 08, 2018 KS BF Regular Meeting City Manager Department REQUEST: The Community Development Department is requesting the City Commission's review and input on an Arbor Master Plan and potential Arbor Code updates. SYNOPSIS: The Arbor Master Plan is a conceptual Master Plan for the long-term restoration and maintenance of the City's tree canopy. The considerations for the Arbor Code update includes recommendations to refresh the code based on current arbor policies and practices, as well as provisions to support the Arbor Master Plan. CONSIDERATIONS: At the August 13, 2018 City Commission meeting, the Commission expressed concerns about the loss of trees on new development projects. Staff had already been working on a potential update to the City Arbor Code, and it was agreed to bring back an agenda item for discussion that would include strategies for the long-term restoration of the City's tree canopy. For all new development, the general process for arbor review is currently as follows: 1. Developer performs tree survey of property, which identifies all trees and species 4 -inches in diameter and larger 2. Staff performs a field review to verify the tree survey 3. Development plans are prepared, which show the existing trees being preserved, the existing trees proposed to be removed, and a landscape plan showing all proposed new tree plantings. 4. Arbor credit is given for protecting existing trees and for planting new trees. Regular 500 PAGE 1 OF 4 - October 08, 2018 5. If the arbor credit for tree preservation and new plantings does not equal or exceed the tree removal quantity (by credits), then the developer is required to pay an arbor mitigation fee, based on a current unit price of $150/credit. 6. Arbor mitigation fees, which can be substantial on large-scale projects, are paid into the Arbor Fund. 7. The licensed tree contractor who is performing the tree removals is required to obtain an Arbor Permit. The process outlined above for new development is generally the same for the individual existing homeowner seeking to remove one or more trees from an existing property. Arbor Restoration Conceptual Master Plan: Staff has prepared a conceptual Arbor Restoration Master Plan consisting of the following four major components: Identify and prioritize undeveloped City properties and conservation lands where large trees can be appropriately planted (see Exhibit A for a map): . City parks . City owned stormwater pond sites . City properties west of Oak Forest, east of Shore Road, north of Dunmar Estates . City property west of Murphy Road, north of Panama Circle, south of S Hawthorn . Sam Smith Park / East WWTP property . Moss Park area . Percolation Pond site at Hayes/Bahama . Percolation pond site west of Shepard Road . Percolation pond site adjacent to SR 417 . Solary Canal site . Utility/PW Compound Plant appropriately sized trees in City right-of-ways, primarily in areas with no direct residential frontage. Examples: • Sheoah Blvd . Winter Springs Blvd . Moss Road . Edgemon Avenue . Dolphin Road . Hayes Road . Panama Road . Fisher Road . Trotwood Blvd . Greenbriar Lane . Tuscora Blvd . Bahama Road . Shore Road 3. Fill HOA and individual homeowner requests for trees along their public right- of-way frontage (right tree, right place). Regular 500 PAGE 2 OF 4 - October 08, 2018 Prepare and implement arbor educational and outreach programs (classes, handouts, videos, etc.) Arbor Code Update Considerations: Staff has been reviewing and identifying sections of the City's Arbor Ordinance for updating (Chapter 5, City Code), with the following objectives in mind: 1. Refresh the code to reflect current policies and practices 2. Identify opportunities to make the arbor permitting rules and process clearer for all parties 3. Identify opportunities to streamline the permitting process for homeowners and to reduce fees where possible 4. Provide flexibility and room for reasonable interpretation where appropriate 5. Consider provisions to support the Arbor Restoration Master Plan, as outlined above The following is a preliminary list of suggested revisions to the City Arbor Ordinance: o Reduce residential arbor mitigation cost per credit: . Eases financial burden on homeowners seeking to protect and/or improve their property . Paying into the fund may be more practical and/or cost effective than re- planting in some cases o For new development, provide more incentive to preserve existing trees by: . Increasing the available tree replacement credit for preservation of specimen (24"+) and historic trees (currently no credit given) . Increasing credits available for preservation of existing desirable trees under 24" (Sec 5-9.b.6) o Increase new development arbor mitigation cost per credit for tree removals up to 24 -inches, and to $500 per credit for trees over 24 -inches: . Provides more incentive for new development to save existing trees and plant new trees . Where not possible to re -plant, provides arbor mitigation funding for offsite re -planting sites o Implement adjustments to permit fee structure: . Residential (current $25 for first tree removed) ■ HOA (current $100 for first tree removed) ■ New Development (current $200 for first tree removed) o Sec 5-4.b. Update and clarify conditions for which a tree removal permit may be issued. Reduce the burden on homeowners and minimize conflicts. o Delete the tree replacement exemptions (Sec 5-9.e) for 50% tree canopy and for no tree removal within the previous 10 -year period. o Sec 5-18. Clarify and simplify the procedure for issuance of citations and their appeal to the Code Enforcement Board. Update the penalty schedule to have penalties up to various thresholds. Incorporate flexibility to make reasonable Regular 500 PAGE 3 OF 4 - October 08, 2018 interpretations based on circumstances. o Sec 5-14. Update tree protection barrier requirements and provide a new standard detail. o Update the list of desirable and undesirable trees o Update and simplify the tree replacement table o Clarify minimum tree size for a tree removal permit as 4 -inches o Require arbor permits to be issued to the tree contractors with owner signature, not directly to the homeowner unless the homeowner is performing the work FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact at this time for the City Commission's review of the conceptual Arbor Master Plan and the suggested considerations for a future update of the Arbor Ordinance. COMMUNICATION EFFORTS: This Agenda Item has been electronically forwarded to the Mayor and City Commission, City Manager, City Attorney/Staff, and is available on the City's Website, LaserFiche, and the City's Server. Additionally, portions of this Agenda Item are typed verbatim on the respective Meeting Agenda which has also been electronically forwarded to the individuals noted above, and which is also available on the City's Website, LaserFiche, and the City's Server; has been sent to applicable City Staff, Media/Press Representatives who have requested Agendas/Agenda Item information, Homeowner's Associations/Representatives on file with the City, and all individuals who have requested such information. This information has also been posted outside City Hall, posted inside City Hall with additional copies available for the General Public, and posted at six (6) different locations around the City. Furthermore, this information is also available to any individual requestors. City Staff is always willing to discuss this Agenda Item or any Agenda Item with any interested individuals. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the City Commission review and provide input on an Arbor Master Plan and potential Arbor Code update. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Map of Arbor Enhancement Sites Regular 500 PAGE 4 OF 4 - October 08, 2018 EXHIBITA City Owned Parcels for Potential Arbor Enhancement 0 0.25 0.5 1 1.5 2