Member Browning told the commission he submitted a nine-page report to the city manager summarizing scientific literature and recommending changes to the city's tree ordinance critical-root-zone standard.

Browning said the current Titusville code uses six inches of critical-root-zone radius per inch of trunk diameter (0.5 feet per inch), while the American National Standards Institute and the International Society of Arboriculture use a 12-inch-per-inch radius (1 foot per inch). Browning said the existing code protects mostly the structural root plate while allowing transport and feeder roots to be removed, which he described as insufficient to preserve trees during construction and storms.

The report, Browning said, cites scientists including Dr. Kim Coder and Dr. Andrew Kocer and discusses how larger native canopy trees provide wind buffering and other benefits. Browning also noted that the city's current code requires preservation of at least 15% of existing trees for new commercial development and residential subdivisions, and he urged updating the critical-root-zone metric so preservation requirements are effective.

Browning said city council agreed on July 22 to move three recommended ordinance changes forward to public meetings; he and staff expected public hearings could begin in October (the transcript notes late October as a likely time frame but dates were subject to change).

The commission discussed the scientific basis for expanding the protected root zone and the need to show up at upcoming public meetings when the ordinance changes are scheduled. City staff confirmed the ordinance changes were tentatively scheduled for public hearings at the end of October, subject to council scheduling.