Atlantic Beach adopts landmark-tree ordinance to protect maritime canopy

The Atlantic Beach City Commission voted July 13 to adopt Ordinance 95-26-1-28, establishing a landmark-tree designation that expands protections to qualifying maritime-forest species 20 inches in diameter and strengthens mitigation for removals. The measure inserts a staff mitigation table, doubles mitigation fees for landmark trees found within setback areas, and allows the Community Development Board to grant removals with appeals available to the City Commission.

Neighborhoods Director Amanda Askew, who presented the second-reading staff report, said the ordinance broadens applicability beyond live oaks and places a new review process for larger maritime trees. "As proposed, maritime species meeting the 20-inch DBH threshold would be designated as landmark trees," Askew said, and she told commissioners relocation or mitigation approaches would be determined by case specifics and by the mitigation table the commission inserted.

The ordinance was adopted after extensive public comment from residents, Environmental Stewardship Committee members and longtime homeowners who urged stronger protections. Attorney and resident Carolyn Zisser urged passage and cited Boca Raton's code as a tested example, saying the change "does not deny the right to build; it requires building responsibly around critical ecological assets." Resident EK Cottrell read neighborhood examples and data from the Environmental Stewardship Committee noting that in 2025 the community recorded 4,436 inches of tree diameter removed under city permits versus 1,839 inches replanted.

Commissioners and speakers debated the practicality and cost of relocation. Staff and members cited transplant success rates for some live oaks in the 8090% range, and an on-site relocation was estimated in the discussion at roughly $8,000 to $15,000 for a 20-inch live oak depending on distance and site constraints. Commissioner Ring framed relocation as one option among mitigation and design changes, saying the ordinance gives property owners and applicants additional tools "which I appreciate." Several speakers recommended raising mitigation so that paying fees is not the easier option than preserving trees.

The Commission amended the draft on the floor to insert staff's mitigation table, double mitigation fees for landmark trees located in setbacks, and change approval language so removal decisions are first made by the Community Development Board with appeals allowed to the City Commission. The motion to adopt, made by Commissioner Ring and seconded on the floor, carried after a voice vote; the minutes record the motion carried and the mayor called it "the most significant tree ordinance this city has ever really considered." The formal adoption does not list a roll-call tally in the transcript.

Mayor Ford and other commissioners asked staff to return quickly with implementation details, including clearer mitigation rates, operational timelines and logistical analysis of relocation costs and procedures. City Manager Kevin Hogancamp and staff agreed to prepare follow-up research and to bring any needed refinements to a future meeting.

The commission's action was paired with public outreach commitments: staff will continue town-hall engagement and provide a more detailed report on relocation feasibility, mitigation economics and a timeline for permitting and appeals.

The ordinance becomes effective as provided in the code and staff will return with specifics on mitigation tables, appeal procedures, and operational guidance for applicants and reviewers.