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Duval OKs stricter protection of trees
By Karen Rivedal By an overwhelming margin, Duval County residents said yes to a grass-roots movement for stronger tree protection Tuesday. With all the precincts in, voters approved a referendum to set stricter rules when builders remove trees during the development process. The measure was placed on the ballot by the volunteer group Citizens for Tree Preservation Inc. Group members swung into action after dissatisfaction over a new tree-protection law approved by the City Council last year. The Northeast Florida Builders Association and other builders already have a lawsuit pending to seek a permanent injunction against the new rules, which they say are unconstitutional, and a hearing on that motion will be held soon. But, at least for now, tree-preservation advocates are savoring the win. "The voters of Jacksonville have spoken loud and clear that they really want a better Jacksonville in all respects," group co-founder Bill Brinton said. "We're clearly at really record numbers on an environmental initiative in Northeast Florida, and I think it sends a good message to anyone considering Jacksonville as a place to live and move their business to." The new rules, which take effect as soon as the election is officially certified, would amend the city's charter to set minimum standards countywide for tree protection, mitigation and conservation. It's twice as strict as existing law, which requires builders to preserve, replant or pay for hardwood trees roughly six feet around or larger. Existing homeowners are exempt from the provision. Local voters also cast ballots on three statewide referendums, concerning selection of county and circuit judges and high-speed rail transportation. The judicial referendums -- decided in individual counties and circuits -- failed heavily in Duval County, while the rail measure held a narrow margin of approval. The judicial referendums would change the method of selecting judges from election to appointment by the governor for a first term -- and subsequently by a retention vote by the people. The rail referendum would amend the Florida Constitution to require the state to build a high-speed rail system linking five major urban areas. Elsewhere in the state, the rail measure was winning narrowly, while the measure to change how circuit judges are elected was failing throughout the Fourth Circuit, which includes Duval, Nassau and Clay counties. |
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