Res No 147-14-14241RESOLUTION NO.147-14-1 4241
A Resolution enacting a moratorium on issuance of permits to cut
or otherwise kill certain trees until the existing tree protection
ordinance can be amended to provide better protections.
WHEREAS,development of properties inthecityhas increased in pace;and
WHEREAS,the City's tree ordinance states "The intent of this section isto provide a
mechanism to protect,reserve,and restore thetree canopy within the City of South Miami by
regulating the removal,relocation and trimming of trees";and
WHEREAS,developers haverecently obtained permits andcutdown extremely old,
slow-growing,nativetrees including DadeCountyslashpineandcabbagepalms,aswellaslarge
live oaks;and
WHEREAS,the residents andCity Commission of South Miami have not been
convincedsuchdestructionwasnecessarytoredeveloptheproperties;and
WHEREAS,cabbagepalmandDadeCountyslashpinegrow extremely slowly,such
thattrees of substantialsizearetheage of yourgrandmotherandshouldbetreatedwithsimilar
respect;and
WHEREAS,thecabbagepalm,thestatetreeforFlorida,canbe economically relocated
ontocityproperty,butisbeingcutanywayfortheconvenience of thedeveloperandnotoutof
necessity.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI,FLORIDA,THAT:
Section1.TheCity enacts a moratorium onthe issuance ofanytree removal permit
tocutdownor otherwise killthe following treesexceptforreasonsof safety:
(i)Slashpine(orDadeCountyPine)Pinus elliottii,of 9"DBHor more,
(ii)Liveoak,Quercus virginiana,of 12"DBHor more,
(iii)Cabbage palm(or sabal palm)Sabalpalmetto,withatleastsixfeet (6')of trunk.
Section 2.The moratorium shall expire onthe sooner ofOct1,2014 orthe approval
or denial bythe City Commission ofa revision tothe tree protection ordinance that provides
greater incentive for property owners and developers to responsibly relocate or design around
existing native trees listed in Section 1.
Section3.Citystaffis instructed toworkwiththesponsorofthis resolution todrafta
revision to the existing Tree Protection Ordinance that provides greater incentive for property
owners and developers to responsibly relocate or design around existing native trees of high
valueorlow growth rate.
Res.No.147-14-14241
Section 4.If any section clause,sentence,or phrase of this resolution isforany
reason held invalid or unconstitutional bya court of competent jurisdiction,the holding shall not
affect the validity of the remaining portions of this resolution.
Section 5.This resolution shalltake effect immediately upon adoption.
Passedand adopted this _22_dayof July .2014.
ATTEST:APPROVED:
CITY CLERK
READ
an:
RM
COMMISSION VOTE:
Mayor Stoddard:
Vice Mayor Harris:
Commissioner Edmond:
Commissioner Liebman:
Commissioner Welsh:
Page 2 of2
4-1
Yea
Yea
Yea
Nay
Yea