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Atlantic Beach expands tree-protection measure to all maritime species at 20-inch DBH on first reading
Summary
After extensive public comment and commissioner debate, the commission amended ordinance 95‑26‑128 on first reading to extend protections from landmark live oaks to all maritime forest species with a 20‑inch DBH threshold; the ordinance returns for second reading and public hearing.
On the first reading of ordinance 95‑26‑128 (Chapter 23 amendments), Atlantic Beach commissioners voted to replace the narrowly framed "landmark live oak" protections with a broader amendment that covers all maritime forest species at a 20‑inch diameter at breast height (DBH) threshold.
The hearing drew more than a dozen public speakers, many urging broader protections. Anastasia Houston of the Environmental Stewardship Committee warned of rapid canopy loss and urged a 20‑inch DBH threshold: “We are hurtling towards a point of irrevocable harm,” she said. Several speakers, including members of Atlantic Beach Community Keepers and other residents, urged the commission to protect multiple maritime species rather than only live oaks.
Commission debate balanced those environmental concerns against property‑rights and process questions. Mayor Ford voiced caution about unintended consequences, emphasizing that the commission must avoid stripping reasonable development rights without defensible mitigation and appeal procedures. “I am not going to be approving anything tonight,” the mayor said, calling for defensible language that distinguishes trees within building footprints from those outside them and for incentive mechanisms to promote retention.
Staff and the Environmental Stewardship Committee presented canopy‑loss figures and permit‑removal data showing many smaller trees removed in recent years; staff also confirmed the ordinance retains an independent third‑party arborist review when applicants claim a tree is hazardous. The proposed amendment requires community development review board (CDB) and commission review for removal of defined landmark/maritime trees, which staff estimated would add roughly two months to some permit paths and impose stronger mitigation requirements.
The commission’s amendment passed on first reading at the June 22 meeting; the ordinance will return for a second reading and public hearing where members of the public can provide additional testimony and the commission can refine DBH thresholds, mitigation levels, exemptions for building footprints, and enforcement/appeals language.
Next steps: staff will prepare revised draft language that reflects the amendment and provide detailed impact estimates (numbers of trees affected and likely permit effects) before second reading.
