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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-11-2023 Tree Committee Meeting MinutesTree Committee Meeting Special Called Meeting May 11, 2023 9:30 a.m. in the Delchamps Room 161 N Section Street Members present: Paul Fontenot, Chairman, May Moss Parker, Jamie Rollins, Skip Jones, Craig Tappan, and Joanne Hogan. Corey Martin and Knox McMurphy were absent. Guests included Hunter Simmons and Trae Corte. Paul Fontenot called the meeting to order. The Minutes of the meeting for January 19, 2023 were considered and approved with a motion by May Moss Parker, second by Craig Tappan, and unanimously passed. Planning Commission Applicant Appealing Staff’s Decision to Protect Trees Jamie Rollins stated that the two magnolias trees that are being appealed have historic value and are also Heritage Trees. He stated that he would consider letting the magnolia that was on the western side of the lot be cut down as removing the house would probably damage the root system, but he feels the magnolia on the east side of the lot should be preserved as it is an historical tree and protected by the Tree Ordinance. Hunter Simmons went over how the Planning Department looks at a project including tree preservation and stated that while it would change the development proposed by Mr Corte the tree should be preserved. Trae Corte stated that the plan is for a condominium development which will have four single family residences. He said that for economic reasons that if the tree is not removed, he would not be able to do the development. He offered to plant trees somewhere else in the city to mitigate the loss of the magnolias, but he feels that the four new homes would benefit the neighborhood better with the sacrifice of the tree. After an active discussion and question and answer period including all committee members and the visitors Skip Jones made a motion that the magnolia trees could be removed on the condition that two 12” live oak trees would be planted on the Bayview Street side of the lot, second by Craig Tappan. All committee members present voted ‘Aye’ except for May Moss Parker who voted ‘Nay”. The committee members then set the next two meeting dates for July 13, 2023 at 3 p.m. and October 12, 2023 at 3 p.m. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:00AM.