TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Timothy Stillings, Development Services Department
THROUGH: Mark R. Lauzier, City Manager
DATE: January 22, 2019
Title
TREE CANOPY POLICY, TREE PRESERVATION ORDINANCE, AND TREE TRUST FUND PRESENTATION
Body
Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Provide direction.
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Background:
TREE CANOPY POLICY
The City of Delray Beach's (City) Comprehensive Plan (Plan) has several policies in the Conservation Element and the Open Space and Recreation Element that address trees, planting, and maintaining existing landscape at a high level, but the City does not currently have a specific policy regarding tree canopy. The proposed update to the Comprehensive Plan (Always Delray) has expanded the objectives and policies related to tree canopy and preservation in several Elements. The proposed objectives and policies are provided as an excerpt of the Plan and attached.
Specifically, Policy OPR 3.5.1 references conducting a formal study of the existing tree canopy. In this regard, the City has undertaken a tree canopy assessment. This assessment provides us with additional information to guide tree planning investments. The report of the assessment is attached and the key findings include:
- overall citywide canopy coverage is 23%
- the lowest percentage of canopy is in the industrial area between SW 10th St and Linton Blvd and the NW/SW Neighborhoods
- it would require 105 acres of trees (2,300 trees) to increase the canopy by 1 percent; Delray Beach currently has 2,405 acres of trees
Recommendations:
- Preserve existing canopy with a Urban Forestry “Management” Plan
- Establish/provide an arborist in departments with responsibilities over trees
- Periodically evaluate tree preservation ordinance
- Support local and non-profit tree advocates by sourcing trees, in-kind service support, (co)sponsoring tree-planting events
- Ensure current ordinances are enforced, as properties lose trees overtime
- Tree Planting Plan - especially along 257...
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