LTC 599-2018 Heritage Tree Designation MIAMI BEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
599-2018
TO: Mayor Dan Gelber and Members o the City Corrlljmission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: November 13, 2018
SUBJECT: Heritage Tree Designation
This Memorandum is intended to provide some background on agenda item R7W, A
Resolution Of The Mayor And City Commission Of The City Of MiamiBeach, Florida,
Initiating The Heritage Tree Designation Process For The Historic And Uniquely
Majestic Sea Grape Trees On And Surrounding The City's 72nd Street Parking Lot, And
Authorizing The City Administration To Take All Actions Necessary To Proceed With
The Designation Process Set Forth In The City's Tree Preservation And Protection
Provisions In Article II Of Chapter 46 Of The City Code.
The Heritage Tree designation is one of three tree permit classes within the City's Tree
Preservation Ordinance. The classes are broken down into non-specimen, specimen,
and heritage; with each class having a more stringent criteria for justifying its removal
through the ordinance. No tree work permit shall be issued for removal of a heritage
tree without a written evaluation by an International Society of Arboriculture certified
arborist and or an American Society of Consulting Arborists registered consulting
arborist demonstrating that removal is necessary to avoid an immediate peril to life
and/or property, and/or the tree is dead, non-viable, or deteriorated to the point that
removal is warranted. Furthermore, the tree work permit shall not be issued until the
urban forester evaluates the tree and determines that removal is necessary. Removal
and replacement of heritage trees must be approved by the environment and
sustainability department director after consultation with the urban forester.
Prior to designating a tree as a heritage tree, a general health assessment would be
conducted to identify any defects and whether such defects are correctable for
preservation. In addition, the tree or tree grouping needs to meet one of the three
criteria:
1. It is an historic tree or grouping of trees, of notable historical interest and value to
the City of Miami Beach because of its or their location or historical association
with the community.
Commission Memorandum—Heritage Trees
Page 2 of 2
2. It is a tree or grouping of trees of high value to the community because of its or
their species, size, age, location, distinctive form, exceptional characteristics,
ecological value, aesthetic value or other relevant criteria.
3. It is a champion tree or grouping of trees, identified by the State of Florida
Division of Forestry as being the largest of its species within the state or by the
American Forestry Association as being the largest of its species in the United
States or the world.
This issue came up at the most recent Land Use and Development Committee meeting
and staff indicated they would conduct a general health assessment of the trees in
question and report back to Committee. Such an assessment has not yet been
performed; therefore I recommend that the designation of the sea grapes on and along
the perimeter of the 72nd Street Parking Lot be referred to the Sustainability and
Resiliency Committee for further discussion.
SM/ESW/OL