Vote on Miami tree ordinance again delayed amid resident opposition
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Resident Matthew Osteen attended the tree ordinance meeting with his children. Photo: Martin Vassolo/Axios
Dozens of tree lovers lined up inside Miami City Hall yesterday to fight a proposed ordinance that would make it easier to cut down trees.
Why it matters: Opponents say the proposal serves developers at the cost of the environment, while its sponsor has pitched it as a way to simplify the permitting process.
How it works: Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela's proposal allows property owners to cut down trees without a permit if they are non-native, measure less than 18 inches in diameter or get damaged by an act of God, the Miami Herald reports.
- It also allows owners to cut down a tree if it's in the way of construction activity, including storage, and gives developers the same right as homeowners to cut down trees, per the Herald.
The latest: Dozens of residents attended a public meeting yesterday to voice their concerns about the proposal and to urge Gabela — who was on vacation and did not attend — to withdraw the item.
What they're saying: Coconut Grove resident Matthew Osteen, 41, showed up to the meeting with a large tree branch bearing a sign that read "Save the trees."
- He told Axios that the ordinance will not help Miami reach its goal of achieving 30% tree canopy.
- "Mostly, we're concerned that we're going to deforest the canopy that we already have."
The other side: Commissioner Damian Pardo, who hosted the meeting, told residents he supports growing the city's canopy but has heard complaints about the permitting process.
- Some fed-up homeowners are covertly cutting down their trees without bothering with a permit, he said.
- "Our existing ordinance is not working very well for many of our residents."
The latest: The proposal, first introduced in October, will be deferred from next week's City Commission meeting, Gabela's chief of staff, Frank Castaneda, tells Axios.
- Castaneda said the city will work with Miami-Dade County and take resident input into consideration.
What's next: Katrina Morris, a Coconut Grove resident, says she will continue fighting the ordinance.
- "I'm going to keep exhausting myself because that's what they do to us."