Nassau County - Amelia Island Tree Commission

Nassau County - Amelia Island Tree Commission 5:00 PM, October 1, 2025 James S. Page Governmental Complex, 96135 Nassau Place Yulee, FL 32097 OFFICIAL MINUTES Call to Order at 5:06 p.m. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call PRESENT: Board Member Lynda Bell, Board Member Ron Flick, and Board Member Karen Klima ABSENT: Board Member Steven Sherman ALSO PRESENT: Denise May, County Attorney, Abigail Martini, and Jami Nighbert, Deputy Clerks Approval of Minutes: Approval of May 7, 2025, meeting minutes. Motion: Approve the minutes from the May 7, 2025, meeting. Maker: Board Member Klima Second: Board Member Flick Action: Approve Aye: Board Member Bell, Board Member Flick, and Board Member Klima. Absent: Board Member Sherman. Approval of July 2, 2025, meeting minutes. Motion: Approve the minutes from the July 2, 2025, meeting. Maker: Board Member Klima Second: Board Member Flick Action: Approve Aye: Board Member Bell, Board Member Flick, and Board Member Klima. Absent: Board Member Sherman. 1/6251001 AITC

New Business: None. Quasi-Judicial Public Hearings: Ms. May read the Quasi-Judicial hearing procedures applicable to Tabs A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. Note: The video recording of the meeting was interrupted due to technical difficulties. Waive Presentation: Marc White, agent for Tabs A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, came forward to waive their presentation and rely on staff comments. (Tab A) Consider STR25-001, applicant is seeking a specimen tree removal permit pursuant to Section 37.02E.2 of the Nassau County Land Development Code (LDC), to allow for the removal of one specimen tree in the Residential Single- Family 2 (RS-2) zoning district. Filed by River Green Estates, LLC., owner; and Marc White, I.S.A. Certified Arborist/The Branch Manager, Inc., agent. Ex-Parte Disclosure: Chair Bell disclosed that she has visited the site location. Documents submitted into the record for STR25-001: Staff Report - 6 pages; Specimen Tree Removal Application - 2 pages; Tree Protection and Replacement Plan (TPP) - 9 pages; and Staff Presentation- 12 pages. Motion: Approve the documents submitted into the record for Tab A. Maker: Board Member Bell Second: Board Member Klima Action: Approve Aye: Board Member Bell, Board Member Flick, and Board Member Klima. Absent: Board Member Sherman. Chair Bell open the floor to public discussion. Staff Presentation: Drew Pearson, Planning Department, came forward and was sworn in to provide testimony. He presented a PowerPoint presentation regarding the request, noting that all applications being discussed tonight are from the same applicant. Note: There was a brief pause to the presentation from 5:19 p.m. to 5:21 p.m., due to technical difficulties. Mr. Pearson provided a brief summary of the request, including details about the site location, tree survey, and site plan. He noted that these lots are part of the Sheffield Subdivision, which was approved by the Board of County Commissioners on May 11, 1938. Next, he provided a brief overview of the background related to the request. Note: There was a brief pause to the presentation from 5:24 p.m. to 5:48 p.m., due to technical difficulties. 2/6251001 AITC

Mr. Pearson resumed his PowerPoint presentation and provided a brief overview of the criteria for specimen trees removal. He informed the committee that staff finds the request consistent with the Land Development Code (LDC) and recommends approval with the following four conditions: (1) The specimen tree removal permit shall be conditioned upon the incorporation of the design methods for the construction of the single-family dwelling that are included in the Tree Protection and Replacement Plan; (2) The additional specimen tree and three other protected trees located on the property shall not be removed in association with the construction of the single-family dwelling; (3) In addition to other landscaping requirements, the removal of the specimen tree shall be mitigated by planting one three-inch caliper live oak on-site as required by Article 37, Sec. 37E.2.f; and (4) Prior to the commencement of construction, all tree protection barricades shall be installed, and an on-site pre-construction meeting shall be requested with the County Arborist. Applicant Presentation: Mr. White came forward and was sworn in to provide testimony. He discussed the impervious surfaces near the trees, mentioning that the homes being constructed would be elevated. This elevation would allow for the preservation of 85 percent of the trees on the site. He clarified that the only impervious surfaces would be the area of the garage, portion of the foundation and driveway. A brief discussion took place regarding their efforts to be less invasive to the trees and the conditions provided by staff. Board Discussion: Mr. Pearson replied to the Committee's inquiry and gave a brief overview of how staff would verify compliance if the application were approved. Chair Bell closed the floor to public discussion. Motion: Approve based upon the record, evidence, and testimony received, find that there is competent and substantial evidence pursuant to Land Development Code (LDC), Section 37.02E.2, and therefore, motion is to approve STR25-001 with conditions as outlined in staff’s report. Maker: Board Member Flick Second: Board Member Klima Action: Approve Aye: Board Member Bell, Board Member Flick, and Board Member Klima. Absent: Board Member Sherman. (Tab B) Consider SBW25-007, applicant is seeking approval of building setback waiver(s) pursuant to Section 37.02(q) of the Nassau County Land Development Code (LDC), to allow a reduction in required building setbacks pursuant to Section 9.02(a)(b) & (c) for a single-family dwelling in the Residential Single- Family 2 (RS-2) zoning district. Filed by River Green Estates, LLC., owner; and Marc White, I.S.A. Certified Arborist/The Branch Manager Inc., agent. Ex-Parte Disclosure: Chair Bell disclosed that she has visited the site location. Documents submitted into the record for SBW25-007: Staff Report - 6 pages; Specimen Tree Removal Application & Building Setback Waiver Application- 2 pages; Tree Protection and Replacement Plan - 9 pages; County Arborist Report 3/6251001 AITC

- 1 page; Development Review Committee (DRC) recommendation - 1 page; and Staff Presentation- 12 pages. Motion: Approve the documents submitted into the record for Tab B. Maker: Board Member Flick Second: Board Member Klima Action: Approve Aye: Board Member Bell, Board Member Flick, and Board Member Klima. Absent: Board Member Sherman. Chair Bell open the floor to public discussion. Staff Presentation: Mr. Pearson provided a PowerPoint presentation that reviewed the request, site location and the criteria for building setbacks. He informed the committee that staff finds the request consistent with the Land Development Code (LDC) and recommends approval with the following three conditions: (1) The building setback waivers shall be conditioned upon the incorporation of the design methods for the construction of the single-family dwelling that are included in the Tree Protection and Replacement Plan; (2) The additional specimen trees shall be preserved; and (3) Prior to the commencement of construction, all tree protection barricades shall be installed, and an on-site pre-construction meeting shall be requested with the County Arborist. Chair Bell closed the floor to public discussion. Motion: Approve based upon the record, evidence, and testimony received, find that there is competent and substantial evidence pursuant to Land Development Code (LDC), Section 37.02(Q)1.c, and therefore, motion is to approve SBW25-007 with the conditions outlined in staff’s report. Maker: Board Member Klima Second: Board Member Flick Action: Approve Aye: Board Member Bell, Board Member Flick, and Board Member Klima. Absent: Board Member Sherman. (Tab C) Consider SBW25-002, applicant is seeking approval of building setback waiver(s) pursuant to Section 37.02(q) of the Nassau County Land Development Code (LDC), to allow a reduction in required building setbacks pursuant to Section 9.02(a)(b) & (c) for a single-family dwelling in the Residential Single- Family 2 (RS-2) zoning district. Filed by River Green Estates, LLC., owner; and Marc White, I.S.A. Certified Arborist/The Branch Manager Inc., agent. Ex-Parte Disclosure: Chair Bell disclosed that she has visited the site location. Documents submitted into the record for SBW25-002: Staff Report - 6 pages; Building Setback Waiver Application - 3 pages; Protected Tree Removal Application - 3 pages; Tree Protection and Replacement Plan - 7 pages; County 4/6251001 AITC

Arborist Report - 1 page; Development Review Committee (DRC) recommendation- 1 page; and Staff Presentation - 12 pages. Motion: Approve the documents submitted into the record for Tab C. Maker: Board Member Flick Second: Board Member Klima Action: Approve Aye: Board Member Bell, Board Member Flick, and Board Member Klima. Absent: Board Member Sherman. Chair Bell opened the floor to public discussion. Staff Presentation: Mr. Pearson provided a PowerPoint presentation that reviewed the request, site location and the criteria for building setbacks. Note: The committee recessed the meeting at 6:24 p.m. and reconvened at 6:38 p.m., due to technical issues. Note: Chair Bell announced that, due to ongoing technical issues, the consideration of Tabs C, D, E, F, and G will be postponed to October 8, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., or soon thereafter, when this matter can be heard. (Tab D) Consider SBW25-003, applicant is seeking approval of building setback waiver(s) pursuant to Section 37.02(q) of the Nassau County Land Development Code (LDC), to allow a reduction in required building setbacks pursuant to Section 9.02(a)(b) & (c) for a single-family dwelling in the Residential Single- Family 2 (RS-2) zoning district. Filed by River Green Estates, LLC., owner; and Marc White, I.S.A. Certified Arborist/The Branch Manager Inc., agent. Note: Due to ongoing technical issues, this item will be considered on October 8, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., or soon thereafter, when this matter can be heard. (Tab E) Consider SBW25-004, applicant is seeking approval of building setback waiver(s) pursuant to Section 37.02(q) of the Nassau County Land Development Code (LDC), to allow a reduction in required building setbacks pursuant to Section 9.02(a)(b) & (c) for a single-family dwelling in the Residential Single- Family 2 (RS-2) zoning district. Filed by River Green Estates, LLC., owner; and Marc White, I.S.A. Certified Arborist/The Branch Manager Inc., agent. Note: Due to ongoing technical issues, this item will be considered on October 8, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., or soon thereafter, when this matter can be heard. (Tab F) Consider SBW25-005, applicant is seeking approval of building setback waiver(s) pursuant to Section 37.02(q) of the Nassau County Land Development Code (LDC), to allow a reduction in required building setbacks pursuant to Section 9.02(a)(b) & (c) for a single-family dwelling in the Residential Single- Family 2 (RS-2) zoning district. Filed by River Green Estates, LLC., owner; and Marc White, I.S.A. Certified Arborist/The Branch Manager Inc., agent. Note: Due to ongoing technical issues, this item will be considered on October 8, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., or soon thereafter, when this matter can be heard. 5/6251001 AITC

(Tab G) Consider SBW25-006, applicant is seeking approval of building setback wavier(s) pursuant to Section 37.02(q) of the Nassau County Land Development Code (LDC), to allow a reduction in required building setbacks pursuant to Section 9.02(a)(b) & (c) for a single-family dwelling in the Residential Single- Family 2 (RS-2) zoning district. Filed by River Green Estates, LLC., owner; and Marc White, I.S.A. Certified Arborist/The Branch Manager Inc., agent. Note: Due to ongoing technical issues, this item will be considered on October 8, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., or soon thereafter, when this matter can be heard. Informational Items: (Tab H) Continued discussion on the Nassau County Tree Planting Program (TPP). Note: Due to ongoing technical issues, this item will be discussed on October 8, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. General Public Comment: None. Adjournment at 6:38 p.m. Approved on January 7, 2026 _____________________________________ Chairman 6/6251001 AITC