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Commission gives staff go-ahead to seek variance to save large banyan tree discovered at municipal golf course
Summary
City staff uncovered a large, healthy banyan tree during golf course renovations and will petition the Lake Worth Drainage District for a variance to preserve it; commissioners expressed near-unanimous support but were briefed on permit conditions, possible construction delays and debris-contract clarifications.
City project staff told commissioners that renovation work at the municipal golf course revealed a single, very large banyan tree that could be a regional landmark and potentially eligible for a Florida Forest Service champion-tree designation.
Public Works reported the canopy covers roughly half an acre and that the tree appears healthy after evaluation by an arborist. Lake Worth Drainage District permits for the golf course currently require removal of the tree; staff asked the commission for consensus to petition the drainage district for a variance to preserve the tree. Staff cautioned that preserving the tree could modestly delay permitting and construction but said designers and the contractor were committed to accommodating the tree where feasible and could make up lost time during construction.
Staff also outlined contingencies required by the drainage district: if a storm causes the tree to fall into a canal or otherwise create an immediate hazard, the city must remove it immediately and would likely add a debris-removal codicil to the city's contract. Commissioners and public commenters expressed strong support for preserving the banyan tree and asked staff to pursue the variance; staff agreed to proceed with the permit petition and to keep the commission updated.
No formal vote was required; commissioners recorded consensus to pursue preservation and follow the permitting process.
