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B. 18-36 months after C.O. C. More than 36 months after C.O. • (Same inside or outside special corridors) Shrubs: 30" Understory trees 0.5') 7' (1 V2" diameter at Canopy trees: 16' (3" diameter at 0.5') • (Same inside or outside corridor) Shrubs: 36" Understory trees: 10' (2" diameter at 0.5 ) Canopy trees: 18' (4" diameter at 0.5') Note: Palm clusters can substitute for individual canopy trees. These replacement requirements are comparable to but more stringent than the City of Vero Beach replacement requirements. City planning staff requires replacement of "established" trees with trees that are at least 16' in height and 5" in diameter 0.5' above grade. The City code does not specify a post C.O. timeframe for defining what constitutes an "established" tree. Proposed 926.12(3) Requirements (Ben Bishop) A. 0-18 months after C.O. At -planting sizes allowed. (No change to current standard) B. 18-36 months after C.O. Replace at height and caliper equal to the average height and caliper of existing species in good health on site. Maximum replacement tree height: 16' C. More than 36 months after C.O. Same as above. Maximum replacement tree height: 18' In his proposed amendment request (see attachment #1), Mr. Bishop states that the current replacement requirements are not based on actual growth rates of trees. This is correct. Staffs field research conducted in August 2001 at ten S.R. 60 corridor sites indicates that canopy trees planted at a height of 12' with a diameter of 2" at 0.5' above grade, after three years, generally grow to a size of 15'-16' tall with a diameter of 3"-4" at 0.5' (see attachment #3). The limited observation data on understory trees indicate that actual understory tree growth rates are consistent with the 926.12(3) standards for understory trees. However, for canopy trees planted at an initial height of 12', the existing Section 926.12(3) requirement of 18' would be 2'-3' higher than (12.5-20% increase over) the average actual growth rate observed. This 12.5%-20% difference represents a "penalty" or disincentive for not adequately maintaining the health of required trees on project sites. Outside of special corridor areas, the difference would be greater because the minimum at -planting height of canopy trees is 10' rather than 12'. The proposed amendment, however, provides no replacement size penalty for poor landscape maintenance. Staff s greatest concern with the amendment originally proposed by Mr. Bishop is that it could actually provide a disincentive for good landscape maintenance and resulting vigorous growth of landscape material on project sites. Under this proposed amendment, a project site that has mediocre maintenance and 13.5' trees three years after C.O. would have a 13.5' tree replacement requirement. However, project sites with excellent landscape maintenance and 16' trees three years after C.O. would have a 16' tree replacement requirement. Under this proposed OCTOBER 23, 2001 -50-