Commission Meeting Agenda Item

On Tuesday, April 12, 2022, a Minor Modification to Site Plan application, Tree Removal Plan and Tree Evaluation for Plaza Professional Center Minor Modification to Site Plan – MNM 04/22-003 was submitted on, drawn and certified by Suzanne Stancil, Registered Landscape Architect with Michael Pape & Associates, PA.

On October 21, 2021, ISA Certified Arborist William Needham with Michael Pape & Associates performed an on-site tree evaluation at the request of the Villages Commercial Property Management, and it was found that there was a total of 22 compromised trees that need removal, including non-viable and viable trees.

All non-viable trees (Trees #1 through #9) were measured at Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) and pictures were included in the report showing their deficiencies. Also, there were approximately 13 tree that were viable; however, their poor structure, poor form and the damage that is causing to the site’s infrastructure are creating both aesthetics and liability issues.

PROPOSAL

One of the viable trees identified to be removed is a Historic 36-inch Live Oak Tree located within a planter that it has outgrown. The tree itself is healthy, but the roots have pushed up the concrete up. They have shaved the concrete down in those areas; however, the applicant feels this is just a short-term solution. Additionally, creating a larger island is not an option since the area where the tree is planted is very tight and traffic must go around the tree.

LIST OF TREES TO BE REMOVED:

The report shows that the trees are planted in an older site where landscaping planting best management practices, such as root barrier and spacing requirements, were not widely known nor implemented. The site dates back to early 1980s. Damage to the site infrastructure, such as damaging building foundations, sidewalks, and to curbing of parking lot areas, are all significant reasons to grant tree removal for hazardous trees decayed or dying.

Town Staff’s observations concur with the applicant that the majority of the trees proposed to be removed would likely have to be removed in the very near future in that installing a root barrier could require cutting some the anchor roots leading to an unstable tree that would not be able to survive typical Florida storm events as the Florida Hurricane Season is upon us. Lastly, the applicant demonstrated that there is still a lot of plant material that will be left on the site compared to what will be removed; therefore, tree replacement is not necessary at this time to further avoid the plant material overcrowding and tree separation issues.

Total Tree Caliper Inches Preserved:               1,191 TCI

Total Trees to be Preserved:                                29 Trees

Total Tree Caliper Inches to be Removed:     374 TCI

Total Trees proposed to be to removed:        23 trees

At this time, the applicant would like to get some feedback from the Town Commission regarding moving forward with the Historic Tree Removal Variance.