LandscapeOnline.com :: Article : Pensacola Proposes Protecting Heritage Trees

Pensacola Proposes Protecting Heritage Trees

Pensacola (est. pop. 55,000) is a seaport on the Gulf of Mexico, situated on the western panhandle of Florida. On February 19, 2009, the Spanish king and queen—Juan Carlos I and Sofía—visited the city to commemorate Pensacola's 450th anniversary as America's first European settlement. France, Great Britain (and the Confederacy) also claimed it as their own.

After nearly a year of delay, Pensacola, Fla.’s tree and landscape ordinance issues are before the city council.

On July 10, however, the council backed off its vote on strengthening the tree ordinance to protect older, large trees to give all parties more time to come to a compromise.

The latest proposal has more than 30 changes, such as defining heritage trees by size and type, a steeper cost for removing a heritage tree, revising the size of replacement trees and giving developers credit for additional landscaping.

This is historic downtown Pensacola. The latest city ordinance proposal would double the fee ($250 to $500) for every protected tree removed from residential or commercial properties that is not replanted or replaced according to the ordinance standards. To remove a single 34-inch heritage tree would require either planting 16 trees or paying $8,000.

One councilman who is ready to approve the new ordinances said he’s hearing from citizens that they want stronger tree protection, but not one that hinders development.

The latest proposal is to double the fee from $250 to $500 for every protected tree removed from residential or commercial property that is not replanted or replaced according to the ordinance standards.

Under the proposal, to remove a single 34-inch heritage tree would require either planting 16 trees or paying $8,000.

Some council members think that’s too restrictive on large developments and residential property owners, particularly given the economy.

The new ordinances would require a landscape and tree protection plan from anyone getting a building permit or site work permit for building a residential townhouse, multifamily residential units, or commercial or industrial development. Currently, only a landscape plan is required for getting a building permit. A landscape and tree protection plan must be drawn to scale by an architect, landscape architect or civil engineer licensed by the state.

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