Key West Tree Commission approves multiple tree removals and two major landscape plans

The Key West Tree Commission on July 22 approved a series of tree-removal permits across the island and advanced two large conceptual landscape plans, including a major replanting scheme for the former Kmart/Publix site on North Roosevelt Boulevard.

Assistant urban forester Zach Bendley told the commission an inspection of a well-known Cuban mahogany at 308 Front Street found documented decay and risk after a property owner raised concerns. "I went out and did an inspection on it and found that she had every right to be concerned," Bendley said. Commissioners voted to allow removal and required replacement totaling 31.7 caliper inches, including replanting a mahogany at the same location.

At 1812 Flagler Avenue the commission split a request after debate over proximity to a planned three-story renovation. Ken King, representing the property owner, said the mahogany had already cracked a neighbor's fence. Commissioners postponed action on one tree until construction plans were provided, then separately approved removal of a mahogany to be mitigated with 9.1 caliper inches of Florida Number 1 nursery stock to be planted on-site.

Other individual approvals included: a gumbo limbo removal at Day Street for active termite infestation (mitigated with 20 caliper inches on-site); removal of a volunteer mahogany at Southern Street to be replaced with 7.2 caliper inches of native or fruit trees; and removal of a Poinciana at Johnson Street with 5.6 caliper inches of mitigation. For a Spanish lime at Thomas Street, commissioners denied full removal and favored issuing a heavy maintenance permit instead.

Commissioners also approved several site-specific mitigation details during public discussion: they agreed a mahogany can be specified as the replacement on permits when appropriate, asked staff for clearer replacement plans at permit hearings, and debated whether to broaden the list of trees eligible for 4-to-1 canopy mitigation to include mango varieties.

Two conceptual landscape plans drew sustained discussion. Keith Orpiza presented a redevelopment and replanting plan for a Keys Health and Housing site on Duck Avenue; staff said the proposal exceeds canopy and replacement requirements and commissioners approved the conceptual plan. Bart Smith, representing the developer for the former Kmart/Publix site at 2900 North Roosevelt Boulevard, said the project would remove roughly 319 caliper inches and replant about 1,013.5 caliper inches, adding more than 520 trees and over an acre of new green space. Smith said the proposal intends to replace low-quality Christmas palms with large native canopy trees. "That's almost three times what exists on-site today," Smith said. Commissioners approved the conceptual landscape plan and discussed phasing, irrigation and raising portions of the site to improve stormwater drainage.

Staff updates included an announcement that an urban-forestry staff member passed the ISA arborist certification exam on May 21. The assistant city attorney suggested the commission consider revisiting the 2-for-1 mitigation ratio; commissioners agreed to add that as a discussion item for the next meeting.

In closing remarks, the chair praised the meeting's outcomes but flagged concerns about budget-driven staffing reductions and off-record decisions concerning tree removals on Duval Street. The chair said he had filed a complaint against a staff member (identified in the transcript as "Mr. Bentley") and urged greater transparency going forward. The commission adjourned after agreeing to place mitigation-ratio changes on next month's agenda.

Votes at a glance
- 308 Front Street (Cuban mahogany): Approved removal; replacement required (31.7 caliper inches, includes mahogany on-site). (Motion carried; 'Aye' recorded.)
- 1812 Flagler Avenue: Tabebuia application separated and postponed pending building plans; mahogany removal approved (9.1 caliper inches on-site). (Motion carried.)
- 4629 Day Street (gumbo limbo): Approved removal for active termite damage; mitigation 20 caliper inches on-site. (Motion carried.)
- 5615 Southern Street (mahogany): Approved removal; mitigation 7.2 caliper inches on-site. (Motion carried.)
- 1321 Johnson Street (poinciana): Approved removal; mitigation 5.6 caliper inches on-site (one mitigation tree to be a mango per motion). (Motion carried.)
- 1004 Thomas Street (Spanish lime): Denied removal; heavy maintenance permit preferred. (Motion carried.)
- Patterson Avenue (strangler fig and hedge): Approved removal of unhealthy strangler fig with 14.4 caliper inches mitigation (one mitigation tree specified as a mango); approved replacement of 38-foot silver buttonwood hedge with like-for-like hedge. (Motions carried.)
- Duck Avenue (Keys Health and Housing conceptual plan): Approved conceptual landscape plan (exceeds replacement requirements). (Motion carried.)
- 2900 North Roosevelt Boulevard (Publix redevelopment): Approved conceptual landscape plan proposing ~1,013.5 caliper inches of replacement and over 520 new trees; commissioners discussed phasing and stormwater/drainage measures. (Motion carried.)

What happens next
Staff will return items postponed pending building plans (Flagler) at the next meeting; commissioners asked staff to place discussion of potential changes to the 2-for-1 mitigation ratio on next month's agenda.