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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMilton Tree Preservation Committee Meeting 07 23 08Minutes The Milton Tree Preservation Committee Wednesday, July 23, 2oo8 at 3:30 P.m. Meeting Location: Milton City Hall Executive Conference Room Suite 107-G Committee Members in attendance Roger Festa Diane Palmer Cherilyn Allen David Holcomb Zack Middlebrooks Scott Gronholm COMMITTEE MEMBERS NOT IN ATTENDANCE Adam Orkin representative GUEST ATTENDEES Steven Strickland, Johns Creek Arborist Joe Burgess, Georgia Forestry Commission MILTON STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Mark Law, City Arborist Matt Zyjewski, Community Development Intern Michael Tuller, Deputy Director of Community Development Minutes Milton Tree Preservation Committee July 9, 2008 Page 2 of 5 AGENDA 1) Introduction(s) 2) Approval of the minutes for June 26th and for July 9th meetings. 3) Previous discussion on Section 1 Tree Ordinance 4) Discussion: a) Permit Procedure b) Removal of Trees C) Violations d) Enforcement e) Inspections f) Notice of Violation g) Stop Work Orders h) Modification, Revocations .... of Permit i) Bonding j) Fines and Penalties k) Appeals 1) Effective Date m) Validity 5) Public Comment 6) Adjournment CALL TO ORDER y Meeting called to order by City Arborist, Mark Law INTRODUCTION APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Roger Festa: ➢ Made motion to approve the June 26th and July 9th meeting minutes ➢ Diane Palmer seconded the motion. ➢ There was no discussion ➢ Motion unanimously carried. Minutes Milton Tree Preservation Committee July 9, 2008 Page 3 of 5 DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS 4 (a) -(m): Roger Festa: ➢ Regarding the Purpose section, he recommended that "individual" and "where" be omitted, and replace those words with "all" and "even." City Arborist Mark Law: ➢ Regarding Permit Procedures, he recommended that all applications should be required to have a plan done by a certified landscape architect. Joe Burgess, Georgia Forestry Commission: ➢ Stated that there doesn't need to be a certified landscape architect, but rather someone in staff to say "that a recipe was followed." City Arborist Mark Law: ➢ Changed his recommendation to leave the section as it is. Roger Festa: ➢ Suggested that "landscape architect" be in parenthesis. City Arborist Mark Law: ➢ Recommended including "3o business days" in Section IV. B. of permit procedures. City Arborist Mark Law: ➢ Regarding Section IV. D. of permit procedures, he would like to see pool and fence permit included on any residential building permit. Diane Palmer: ➢ Brought up the issue of saving old trees as younger trees are easier to remove. City Arborist Mark Law: ➢ Stated that there needs to be a tree evaluation. Joe Burgess, Georgia Forestry Commission: ➢ Explained that a stand of trees may have significant value, more so than specimen trees. Roger Festa: ➢ Stated that there should be incentives to discuss with arborist Minutes Milton Tree Preservation Committee ® July 9, 2008 Page 4 of 5 Joe Burgess, Georgia Forestry Commission: ➢ Regarding Section IV. E. of permit procedures, he discussed timber harvesting operations as part of an ongoing management activity. Roger Festa: ➢ Stated if the timber harvesting operations are proven to be ongoing on the same piece of land, then all that's required is for those people harvesting timber file timber harvesting notify the city and can go on with business. David Holcomb: ➢ Stated that maybe the city should notify large landowners about tree permit requirements. Roger Festa: ➢ Stated that there is a need for public education. Joe Burgess, Georgia Forestry Commission: ➢ Stated that people buying properties need to know as well. ® City Arborist Mark: ➢ Would like to see tree removal permit in place because lots of activity is going on that the city is not aware of. ➢ Reasons for a tree removal permit would be to protect citizens from being in violation, tracking trees over the years, and a need for data. Joe Burgess, Georgia Forestry Commission: ➢ Recommended that got to get rid of "preserve," but rather say "conserve." City Arborist Mark Law: ➢ Made a recommendation to have registered tree removal companies meet with him for a consultation or see a presentation regarding tree removal. Joe Burgess, Georgia Forestry Commission: ➢ Stated that there is a need to come up with an ordinance that is easy to enforce, which yields results that the city and citizens want. Scott Gronholm: ➢ Would like to promote tree planting as well as tree removal. Minutes Milton Tree Preservation Committee July 9, 2008 Page 5 of 5 Diane Palmer: ➢ Wants flexibility for homeowners, which could be the size of the tree. ➢ Concerned that the city/committee will lose community support if they act like police. City Arborist Mark Law: ➢ Stated that there should be incentives for developers to save trees. GENERAL COMMENTS: David Holcomb: ➢ Regarding Section I. B. of the Purpose section, he recommended deletion of "increased property value." Joe Burgess, Georgia Forestry Commission: ➢ Recommended adding "helps facilitate economic vitality of the area." © David Holcomb: ➢ Commented that everyone should come up with what they like/dislike about the proposed Tree Ordinance and other tree ordinances as well. NEXT MEETING DATE ➢ Wednesday, August i3, 2008 @ 3:30 p.m. ➢ Location: City Hall Executive Conference Room, Suite 107-G ADJOURNMENT ➢ There was no further business ➢ The Milton Tree Preservation Committee meeting adjourned at 5:30 P.M. Date Approved: 1?- 2 % - V 6 4ARO D BY:Ivie Mark Law, City Arborist Office