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Residents urge saving century‑old strangler fig; board asks for relocation feasibility before commission vote
Summary
Neighborhood residents and tree‑board members asked the Planning & Zoning Board to preserve or relocate a 98‑inch strangler fig on the Pinnacle on 6 site. The board required the applicant to present a feasibility analysis on relocating the tree to the City Commission prior to final approval.
Multiple residents who spoke during the public hearing described the subject fig tree as a historic specimen and urged preservation or relocation instead of removal. Yell Silverblatt of NEST (Neighbors Encouraging Shade Trees) called the tree “an historic specimen and may be 100 years old,” and asked whether sustainable bonus funds or project funds could finance relocation or mitigation.
Applicant representatives said they have engaged arborists and would explore relocation if experts recommend it and costs are manageable. Staff said the city has a consultant arborist who will issue guidance before the commission hearing. The board approved the Pinnacle recommendation but added motion language requiring the applicant to present a relocation feasibility analysis to the commission and urged the commission to consider a relocation condition if feasible.
