HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-03-2010 Tree Committee Meeting MinutesThe Tree Committee of the City of Fairhope met Monday, May 3, 2010 at 3:00 PM
at the City Administration Building, 161 N. Section Street.
Present: Bobby Green, Chairman; Vice Chairman Members: Tom Ellis, Rick Kingrea, City Council Representative, Skip Jones, Jennifer Fidler, Public Works Director and Horticulturist; Jonathan Smith, Planning and Zoning Commission; Maria Gwynn, Paul Fontenot, and Walt Bolton. Pandora Heathcoe, City
Administrative Assistant took the minutes.
The minutes of the April 1, 2010 meeting were duly approved. Skip Jones moved to
do this, Walt Bolton 2nd the motion and it carried unanimously
Grants -Ms. Stacy McKean, Premier Grants Consulting, LLC was introduced to
the Committee and presented information concerning various grants, brief
descriptions of those grants and what government agency these grants were through.
Ms. McKean has sixteen (16) years experience writing both City and County grants.
Alabama Power
ALDOT
ADECA
Tree grants, however was suspended in 2009 due to economy
Transportation enhancement funds (bicycle trails, sidewalks, trees in median, safe routes to schools, etc)
Park improvement type funds, available in the fall.
The Committee explained that the City Council approves applying for any grants
and how those funds are spent. Also, it was discussed that the City cannot at this
time match funds, however the Single Tax Corporation may be interested in
participating. Skip Jones said he would contact Larry Thomas, Single Tax
Corporation to discuss these options. Committee agreed Skip working with Single
Tax specifically on the Bishop Road improvement project and how it might relate to saving trees and safe walks to school.
New Ordinance Language-Bobby Green gave a handout of changes to the
current Tree and Landscape Ordinance. The changes proposed were put together by Maria, Skip, and Bobby along with consultation from Jennifer Fidler and Jonathan Smith.
20.5.3-4(c) Post-Approval Requirements -Skip Jones suggested that the last
two sentences of the paragraph should read "The owner will be expected to maintain and allowed to grow to the maturity intended by this ordinance."
1
20.5.4-(llf) Buffer Zone Landscaping -Skip Jones that the third to the last sentence should change the wording to "detention areas that are shallow" not "shall". Skip Jones moved to accept all the final changes of ordinance including the two above and Committee work can now be presented to City Council for consideration. Walt Bolton 2nd the motion and it carried unanimously. Right of Way Clearing-Shoppes at Fairhope Village-Jennifer Fidler reported that she learned that Regency Landscaping did the tree pruning of the Right of Way. Nobody knows who that may be. Jennifer spoke to Virgil Hadley, ALDOT concerning this issue; however Mr. Hadley said it is being handled by Vince Calametti. There being no further business, the meeting was duly adjourned at 4:30 p.m. The date for the next special meeting will be scheduled sometime in August. 2
To: Tree Commission From: City Horticulturist Memorandum Re: Tree Ordinance Revisions Date: 5/3/10 There are a couple of concerns that the board should be aware of concerning the changes to the tree ordinance. The ordinance revisions call for a twenty foot buffer where we ask the applicant to plant a four foot screen, Section 20. 4-5 (4) d. Most developers I have worked with do not like to screen their buildings. Are we working toward the 'Hilton Head' approach to landscaping in Fairhope? The twenty foot buffer that we require in Section 20.4-4 (14) supports this idea. In section 20.5-4 (1) b. We require that a renovation of thirty percent or more to a building would come into 'complete' compliance. It is extremely difficult for applicants to come into complete compliance. Does the board mean for the developer to go to the board of adjustments when he/ she is not able to comply with the ordinance? Under 20.5.3 Planning Submission Steps for Approval. (2) Staff Review of the landscape Site Plan. Currently the horticulturist writes notes on the drawings. Does the committee see this process changing with the wording in this section? If so, the current staff, in public works, would not be able to complete the job. Section 20.5-14. Ulmus parvifolia, Chinese Elm is still a recommended understory tree. Is this correct?