A resident’s comment halted consideration of a proposed landscaping ordinance at an Oct. 11 Anna Maria City Commission meeting.
Commissioners were set to vote on a proposed ordinance changing the required number and type of trees at newly constructed properties, despite a planning and zoning board recommendation to hold off.
Commissioners were set to proceed, when resident Sam Pakbaz went to the podium to comment. He said commissioners should consider how buildable areas of beachfront properties are shortened by the high tide line and other restrictions.
Commissioners agreed this was something to consider, and city attorney Becky Vose asked them to table the vote until she could adjust the ordinance.
Commissioners unanimously voted to table the ordinance until their next regular meeting, which would be at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8.
On Oct. 9, members of the planning and zoning board had unanimously voted to recommend the commission hold off on the ordinance, citing concerns, including whether property owner’s can fit five trees on a lot.
Planning and Zoning board chair Jonathan Crane expressed dissatisfaction with having only two days to provide a recommendation to the commission.
Commissioners waved off several points made in the recommendation, explaining the ordinance creates more flexibility for property owners.
The ordinance would lessen the required number of trees per platted lot or parcel from six to five, and does not require a large tree, but rather three medium or large trees.
In the proposed ordinance, the commission recommends property owners plant at least one large tree, but it is not a requirement.
The measure also would replace a requirement to plant “native trees” with “Florida-friendly” trees, which are trees and shrubs listed in a guide by the University of Florida IFUS extension.