Weston advances tree‑preservation code to allow one‑for‑one swale replacements

The Weston City Commission approved on first reading Aug. 18 an amendment to the city’s tree‑preservation code that will allow one‑for‑one replacement for swale trees instead of requiring replacement equal to the original tree’s canopy coverage.

Staff said the change targets swale trees (the grassy strip between sidewalk and street) and will require replanted trees to meet existing minimum standards — 14 feet tall, 2.5‑inch caliper, about 5‑foot spread and a cleared trunk — so trunk visibility is preserved. City arborist Bill DeSaro told the commission those baseline standards remain unchanged and are intended to protect safety and sight lines.

Multiple homeowners‑association representatives and property managers supported the change, saying the canopy‑equivalent rule had created large, unpredictable costs for HOAs and residents. Troy Motland, who said he represents a group of associations, called the one‑for‑one approach “reasonable” and thanked the commission and county staff for the clarification. Larry Ellman, representing Weston Hills, said the change was 5–10 years overdue but welcomed.

Commissioners said the measure is the product of a multi‑year effort across city, county and state staff and praised the collaboration that led to the revision. The amendment is limited to swale trees (staff said a swale is generally a four‑foot strip between sidewalk and street) and does not change requirements for non‑swale or common‑area trees.

What happens next: staff will bring the ordinance back for second reading; staff also said they will notify neighborhoods with pending projects that the change could affect current replacement plans.

Vote: Unanimous on first reading (Commissioners Andrade, Melina McPhee, Jaffe, Vice Mayor Mead and Mayor Brown).