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SUMMARY OF THE AMENDMENT

The minimum standards proposed in the amendment are similar to regulations set forth in a previous city ordinance that was changed in December 1999.  The proposed standards would apply to all development, including commercial and residential development, and would designate trees with a circumference of three feet or greater, as protected.  Pine trees and palm trees, except for the Long Leaf Pine and the Cabbage Palm, will not be protected.  In addition, any tree identified as an invasive species will not be protected. Unfortunately, despite even the best planning efforts to save trees at a development site, sometimes construction does require that a protected tree be removed.  If that should occur, the minimum standards proposed in the amendment would require that the tree be replaced, on-site if practicable, at a ration of 1:3.  In other words, if a protected tree with a trunk diameter at breast height of eighteen inches had to be removed, the developer would be required to replant trees with caliper trunk diameters totalling at least six inches.  In the case of Live Oaks, which often live 300-500 years or more, a ratio of 1:1 would be required.  If a developer is unable to plant replacement trees at the construction site, the minimum standards allow the developer to plant the replacement trees at an off-site location.  Furthermore, the developer may instead contribute the monetary equivalent of the cost of the replacement trees to the City of Jacksonville's Tree Protection and Related Expenses Trust Fund.  Finally, developers may receive "conservation credits" for preserving small non-protected trees and thereby have those trees applied toward their actual replacement requirements. Existing single-family homes will remain exempt, as will property used for bona fide agricultural purposes, under the minimum standards set forth in the proposed amendment. Benefits of Trees They provide shade, lower temperatures and help conserve energy. They filter airborne chemicals, dust and particulates from the air. They mitigate noise and control glare. They provide habitat for wildlife, including migratory birds. They help prevent soil erosion and keep sediment from loading into creeks, lakes and wetlands. They help provide nutrients for soil. They intercept water and store some of it, reducing stormwater run-off and flooding. They help maintain the stability of creeks and lake banks. They are frequently planted as living memorials. They provide privacy and screen out objectionable views. They provide scenic backgrounds and enhance architecture. They protect and enhance property values. They serve as windbreaks.

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