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Home My WebLink About2003 01 06 Hnadout By Mike MingeaARBOR ORDINANCE REVIEW January 6, 2003 Strengthen Section 5-13 Minimums (a) .... Delete or greater. (b) ....Delete less than. (d) Any .... greater than 10,001 (?) trees. Need a size for trees. Stronger pruning guidelines for topping and chopping. Need to set by resolution the amount of dollars on citations by first, second and third offense per violator. City should require license for contractors and only be issued to insured companies and renewed each year (like other businesses). Company must show certificate of insurance for liability and workmen's compensation (or legitimate state exemption per worker). Fees can be low in cost but high in penalties for consumer protection. Better define the preconstruction tree protection bamers as a set standard and inspect such PRIOR to issue of the removal permit. Define the penalties for violations of tree protection barriers and set the steps for enforcement such as: 1) First issue a stop work order until violation is corrected. 2) Issue a fine as prescribed by code. 3) Pay the fine PRIOR to work commencing. 4) Determine the need for replacement planting from damages and issue a requirement letter. Replacement for woody tree removals will be either 1:1 with trees or 3:1 with shrubs or palms. Set a limit on the % of species diversity on a site (new or existing). Replacements need to be installed prior to removal (except where tied into building permits as a required final for CO on NEW building only). Require tree protection signs on the site (paid for by the developer) with required distances for posting (listing fines and warnings), format, or signs provided by City. Violations for removals without permits currently are up to $5,000 each tree but it would be quantifiable to set it to an inches per dollar figure. Example: $250 per inch x 4" _ $1,000 $250 per inch x 20" _ $5,000 In order to be uniform in penalties for court-contested cases and to be uniformly fair to each citizen. Action can go against either homeowner or contractor. Ability for the City to establish deterrents for non-permitted removals by contractors and set fine amounts to be paid. Weaken Trees that are actually doing visible, current damage to a house or building shall be permitted for removal without replacement. '~U~ Make the replacement plantings maser-friendly for existing residences. Reduce size oy~L requirements to 30 gallon from a "new" approved list or condense the inches (dbh) to gce$ter than inch per inch. Make a separate category for wetland and aquatic vegetation removals under the clearing provision paragraph. Fines in wetlands should be based in square footage of damage. Specimen trees shall be 24" diameter at caliper IF there is strong replacement requirements for smaller caliper. Remove the 90-day clause from Section 5-9 (a). Credit for trees planted by resident on removal replacement requirements. These must be planted an site not those already existing there. Give credit for preservation of trees to development that works to save existing on site trees in the proper manner and with approved listed techniques. Base residential removals on % of canopy on a property for replacement. Exempt certain species of trees from the specimen category such as sand pine, laurel oak, and cherry laurel (?) others. Provide extra credit for the use of Florida native plant species on the landscape installments with development (from the approved list). Set up a separate developers preferred plant list with a users criteria based on predetermined permit fee amounts. Modify the preferred plant list for developers and builders (prepared by the City Forester and the Environmental Consultant). City removals? REASONS TO PRUNE Pruning should be a regular part of all tree and shrub maintenance programs. Proper pruning involves the selective removal of plant parts to train young plants; rejuvenate older plants; improve plant appearance, structure and health; control size; create special forms; prevent personal injury and property damage; and influence flowering and fruiting. -~ `~• Stop circlinq and girdling roots. Growing plants in containers, or planting them in compacted soils or restrictive sites, may cause roots to circle. As circling roots enlarge they may girdle (choke) the plants, or fail to adequately anchor them. Prune circling roots at planting, or when they develop in the landscape (unless removal creates large wounds). Remove codominant leaders and weakly-attached branches. Damage, improper pruning, or opposite bud arrangement may cause trees to produce codominant (two equal) stems and weakly- attached branches. Prune codominant leaders and weakly- attached branches when young to prevent wounds from breakage. In addition, remove rubbing and crossing branches. Remove watersprouts and suckers. Improper pruning and damage may cause plants to produce watersprouts (in the crown) and suckers (from base or roots). Prune watersprouts and suckers when they appear before their vigorous growth weakens the plants. To "uniop" improperly pruned (topped) trees, remove selected watersprouts to re-establish a better branch structure. Remove damaged branches. Storms, equipment, people, animals and other pests may damage plant branches. Damaged branches diminish appearance, create hazards and are sites for insect and disease development. Prune when damage occurs. Create srzecial effects. Plants can be pruned to create special aesthetic, Qpen and rejuvenate older to ants. architectural and Excessive internal growth often restricts air environmental forms. circulation through older plants, often Special forms include increasing pest problems and reducing light bonsai (dwarfing), topiaries ~ penetration. Selectively prune to reduce (three dimensional forms) and espaliers (two wind resistance, increase air circulation, reduce pest problems and increase light dimensional forms). Pollards penetration. are plants pruned at the same place each year to restrict plant size. Control size and growth direction. Proper heading (pruning to a bud or side branch) and thinning (pruning entire branches) can control plant size and branch growth directions. Prune to buds or at branch collars, not mid- branch (topping), Remove potential hazards. Prune branches that interfere with or threaten people and property before problems occur. Monitor plants for potential hazard development. j POdfa/ De b D B~onn~iaKae, An at(V'~ Ij^a Txh Untvars i IOuslmNUns: S K Kana ~. CaWr++. ~ y~..._Om .... PV `".._.._._......._........._m.. °~TreeS'~-Care! :~ ~" ~; ~~ ~~ . jal~ f~~ ~~~'c~ ~~~~~ PROTECTION AREA ~~~'' Machinery, du~npin antruct' parking or. storage of any mafer~als is PROHIBITED! By City of ~iake Mary Code Violators are subject to municipal infraction citations of $100 per violation .. Enforced by the City Community Development Department ~i ., ~~:: .:: ~~ a ~~ ~~ t -; ~. ~ o Q ~ \' ;~ 90Q LS9'ON S699LZ£L0b6 f ~R-VWWp~ WSJ 9Z:0t z~i90iZi