HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Appeal LetterAnthony Rubino
Mana�i.ng .Member
Serp & Serp Investments
3185 Lamb Court
Coconut Grove, Florida _>_ 133
November 9, 2007
City Commission
c/o Anel Rodriguez
Hearing Boards Office
444 Southwest 2" d Avenue
7`h Floor
Miami, Florida 33130
RE: Appeal of HEP Board denial of requested tree removal permit
2840 Shipping Avenue, Coconut Grove, Florida 33133
Hearing Boards Office and Members of the Commission,
This letter should act to provide the Hearing Boards Office with notice of my
intent to appeal the denial of the above referenced tree removal permit.
The grounds for the appeal are the following:
1. Health of the Tree - The HEP Board's decision is contrary to the opinion
of certified arborist Lisa Hammer. Ms. Hammer has stated that the oak
tree in questions is in "fair condition at best." She explained in her
October 1, 2007 report that the tree has "pre-existing stresses as evidenced
by ehlorosis, sparse crown density, dead limbs (one of which is about 8
inches i.n diameter and 20 feet in length), twig dieback, and non -vigorous
growth." Ms. Hammer also noted that the stress and decline to the tree
were not related to construction damage. This tree is clearly not a healthy
specimen and its future viability is unlikely.
2. Best Interest of the Community --- Ms. Hammer stated in her report that,
"[she] remain[s] convinced that tree removal and mitigation by the current
owner is in the best interest of the community, as it will prevent the new
owners from bearing the cost of imminent tree removal, and provide for
mitigation which might otherwise be waived if the tree is removed after it
dies." (Emphasis added). The community as a whole would be far better
served by the planting of new healthy trees via mitigation.
It is D iv hope that the C:on mission will not take lightly the recommendations of
Ms, who is clearly the most respected arborist in the Coconut Grove/Miami
area. Determining whether to grant or deny a tree removal permit necessitates the ability
to view each tree individually with discretion. Unfortunately, 1 believe that the Tree -man
Trust and Tree Watch lack such discretion as they merely fight for every tree without
regard for the facts regarding each specimen. Although noble, this tactic is not always in
the best :interest of our Coconut Grove residents. They must adopt discretion when
evaluating a tree removal. After all, it was the Tree -man trust who recommended that 1
hire an arborist. Once 1 lied Lisa Hammer, the arborist that they have relied on many
times in the past, they then refused accept her findings.
1 would like to add that 1 have lived in Center Coconut Grove for the past 10 years
and love the Grove for its lush greenery. I intend on staying in the Grove for many more
years to come and I am dedicated as much as any other resident to protecting our trees
from unwarranted removal_ With that said, there are situations where the removal of a
tree; and the subsequent planting of new trees, is in the best interests of the community as
a whole. This is certainly the case here, where we have a tree that is clearly on the
decline and its future viability is unlikely.
If the tree removal permit is granted, 1 will gladly mitigate with additional native
trees as outlined in the City of Miami Tree Ordinance as this would be the ultimate
benefit to the Citizens of Coconut Grove.
Yours truly,
Anthony Rubino
cc: Preservation Officer. Historical and Environmental Preservation Board