Changes could be coming for grand trees in Anna Maria.
At their Aug. 14 meeting, city commissioners discussed a proposed ordinance that would revise municipal code to change the definition of a grand tree.
The code currently defines a grand tree as a tree with an 8-inch or greater diameter at 4.5 feet above ground level, excluding ficus and Australian pine trees.
The removal of grand trees is prohibited unless “the location of the grand tree renders the lot or parcel as non-buildable, the grand tree is a hazard or severely diseased, or denial of the removal of the grand tree will result in extreme hardship for the property owner, as determined by the city commission at a quasi-judicial hearing.”
The proposed ordinance would change the measurement of grand trees from an 8-inch to a 32-inch diameter, as well as add palm trees and any tree determined to be invasive by the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences to the list of species excluded from the city’s tree protections.
The UF/IFAS relies on the Florida Invasive Species Council’s plant list, which includes a number of trees. Invasive trees on the list include Australian pine, red sandalwood, mimosa, orchid and trumpet trees — among many others.
The proposed ordinance also would scrap the requirement for a quasi-judicial hearing.
Mayor Mark Short said there had been changes at the state level regarding grand trees, so staff evaluated the city code and proposed changes to align with the state.
However, city attorney Becky Vose said it was not necessary to follow state statute. She said commissioners could make their own list of invasive trees, which then would be excluded from grand tree protections.
Commissioners Christopher Arendt and Gary McMullen commented about potentially removing Australian pine trees from the city’s list.
Commission Chair Charlie Salem said he wanted to learn more about why the city excluded Australian pine and ficus trees, as well as why the measurement for grand trees was set at 8 inches.
During public comment, former Commissioner Brian Seymour — who served on the board when the grand tree ordinance was last amended — said developers at the time were clear-cutting properties.
Salem pushed the proposed ordinance back for further discussion during the next meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.