LEGISLATIVE ACTION ITEM
SPONSOR: City Council Member Jennifer Brahier
SUBJECT:
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REFERRAL TO THE PLANNING BOARD - PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO SECTION 12-6-6 (8) OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE
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RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
That City Council refer to Planning Board for review and recommendation a proposed amendment to the Land Development Code Section 12-6-6 (8).
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HEARING REQUIRED: No Hearing Required
SUMMARY:
The City of Pensacola has a long history of prioritizing the protection of trees and recognizes their value as both an environmental and aesthetic amenity. To demonstrate the City’s commitment to being a steward of the environment, the City of Pensacola created and codified tree/landscape regulations that provide protection of trees throughout the City of Pensacola. These regulations provide guidance to both community members and developers, the permitting process for which they can have the trees removed and provide enforcement authority to the City for failure to comply.
While there are protections for heritage trees, there is also an opportunity to protect more than just the trees by including Sensitive Protected Natural Resources which would include not only trees, their dripline and areas such as wetlands. These proposed amendments encompass the circumstance where there is a lot split for single family and duplex use; stating that the “land” shall be evaluated to determine whether a lot spilt will have a negative effect on any sensitive protected natural resource, including but not limited to heritage trees. This language will help ensure that the totality of the circumstances are reviewed in a view to protect the land, including heritage trees.
PRIOR ACTION:
February 11, 2020 - City Council approved, on first reading, other proposed amendments to Section 12-6 - Tree and Landscape Regulations of the Land Development Code.
FUNDING:
N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None
STAFF CONTACT:
Don Kraher, Council Executive
ATTACHMENTS:
1) Proposed Amendments to Section 12-6-6 (8) of the Land Development Code
PRESENTATION: No