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• <br />• • <br />The Chairman opened the public hearing and asked if anyone wished to be heard <br />regarding this matter. <br />Melissa Webster, 2525 14`x' Street, presented some photographs (COPIES OF <br />WHICH ARE ON FILE WITH THE BACKUP FOR TODAY'S MN ETING). She stressed <br />the appearance of a development on 4th Street west of Kings Highway named Lost <br />Hammock that looked very nice when first developed but now only contains several large <br />trees at the entrance, while the rest of the development has been clear cut. She believed that <br />a fine of $1,000 per tree was merely built into the cost of a million -dollar -plus development <br />and felt the tree ordinance should preserve the beauty and character of our area. <br />Jens Tripson, 2525 14`" Street, President of Pelican Island Audubon Society, <br />recommended another public workshop or another ad hoc committee to include the County <br />Extension Agent, a professional arborist, and representatives ofthe Forestry Department and <br />the nursery industry. He also believed the fines were not large enough. He particularly <br />objected to the size of a specimen tree being 30 inches at breast height. He felt that was too <br />large and should be reduced to 20 inches. <br />Janice Broda, 12396 North AIA, agreed that more time was needed as the proposal <br />is complicated. She is a past president of the Florida Native Plant Society and felt the <br />definition of a "native" tree should be amended to include scrub and West Indian tropical <br />trees. She felt that an Urban Forester should be considered with the fees being paid by the <br />developers. There are only 5 certified arborists in Indian River County and an Urban <br />Forester could provide follow-up services. She also suggested that the Florida Department <br />of Agriculture and Consumer Services list of invasive noxious plants should be included. <br />JANUARY 22, 2002 <br />-35- <br />r <br />0 r <br />