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Planning board approves removal of 36-inch water oak at 508 B Street
Summary
The Planning & Zoning Board approved a property owner's request to remove a 36-inch-diameter water oak in the front yard at 508 B Street after staff confirmed the applicant did not provide an arborist's letter. Board members cited visible trunk decay and proximity to power lines and pipelines when they voted to allow the removal.
The City of St. Augustine Beach Planning & Zoning Board voted to allow the removal of a 36-inch-diameter water oak in the front yard of 508 B Street after staff said the property owner had not provided an arborist's letter.
Jennifer, a planning department staff member, told the board the applicant could not attend the meeting but had submitted photographs and a note. She said the applicant had tried to contact arborists without success and had instead applied for the permit. Jennifer also told the board, "the state law says that if an applicant gets an arborist to write the letter saying that the tree needs to come down, that the city can't impose any fine or any fines or permits or any other requirements. We just need to accept an arborist letter." The applicant did not provide that letter.
Board members visited the site visually on a drive-by and discussed the tree's condition, noting a large canopy, a rotten spot in the trunk, leaning and proximity to power lines and pipelines. A member said the tree appeared to be dying and that failure posed a public-safety concern. With no supporting arborist report submitted and citing visible decay, a member moved to approve the removal; the motion was seconded and carried. The board recorded no opposition during the roll-call vote in the meeting record.
Staff said costs for removal are the property owner's responsibility because the tree is on private property. The file will note that the applicant was informed of the option to submit an ISA-certified arborist letter; under state law an acceptable arborist letter would change the city's review path. No additional conditions or fines were imposed by the board.
