Subject:
Title
Report and Discussion Regarding Tree Maintenance along the County portion of Rockledge Drive. - District 2.
End
Fiscal Impact:
None
Dept/Office:
Public Works Department
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested that the Board of County Commissioners receive staff report and public comment regarding tree maintenance on portions of Rockledge Drive.
End
Summary Explanation and Background:
Over the past several years there have been a number of meetings between County staff and various residents living along Rockledge Drive to discuss and disclose concerns regarding tree-related obstructions on that transportation corridor. The staff concerns have been primarily focused on improving safety by bringing the road into compliance with Federal, State, and County standards relating to roadway clearance for vehicles traveling along the road. Citizen concerns have mainly been associated with preserving the character of the road corridor.
Most recently, staff has performed surveys, tree surveys, tree condition evaluations, and performed an engineering evaluation of the situation and has determined that in conformance with applicable standards, the tree maintenance needed can be reduced from 16 ft. to 14 ft. of vertical clearance. The result of this analysis is that of the over 1,000 trees in close proximity to the road, as much as 25 feet away, just 61 (less than 6%) require any trimming. No tree requires complete removal; however, 15 trees (less than 1.5%) require severe trimming (referred to as major ++ trimming). All 61 of the trees to be trimmed are in fair to poor condition and most have been struck by vehicles. All trimming is limited to portions of trees that are both lower than 14 feet and are overhanging the road pavement.
In addition to concerns addressed by the information above, there have been numerous other questions and concerns raised by residents, some of which are addressed below.
Rockledge Drive is a public road under the juri...
Click here for full text