Project Category: Open Space
Project Name: Urban Forestry Master Plan
Update
Project Location: Bradenton, FL, 34205
Date of Completion: September 28, 2011
Landscape Architect: Kimley-Horn
and Associates, Inc.
Christopher M. Hice, RLA (www.kimley-horn.com)
Owner: City
of Bradenton
This
plan provides an organizational framework, identifying opportunities to increase
and improve the urban forest while monitoring its status and
effectiveness. A team of landscape
architects, planners, and arborists, combined to create an integrated approach,
resulting in a project that promotes civic pride and reinforces a sense of
community. Goals and objectives include:
An inventory and assessment of City’s existing tree canopy
Prior canopy analysis identified a
small increase in total acreage and population from 2004-2009, but a much
larger increase in canopy coverage, from 24% to 33%. This had significant
impacts on carbon sequestration and stormwater, increasing the value of the
urban forest. We can use this to determine how tree policy and codes should be
adjusted to manage the urban forest and attain canopy coverage goals to ensure
a healthy, sustainable urban forest.
Development of corridor guidelines and establishment of street tree plantings
Blocks
and streets in the urban core create a basic grid of "corridor parks” that can
enhance the living environment. These
corridors are viewed as valuable frameworks to enhance the urban forest,
strengthening community identity at a pedestrian scale while enhancing safety
and promoting connectivity. Over time, a system of successful streetscapes will
attract quality development and increase property values and economic vitality.
Opportunities to increase and improve commercial corridors were
identified and prioritized. Conceptual designs were then prepared in accordance with
the newly adopted Form-Based Code, providing a vision for reforestation and
neighborhood beautification.
Establishment of standards for the implementation of canopy roadways
Consideration was given to; canopy road protection zones; clear zones; preferred
characteristics and adoption procedures; and special pruning and permit
requirements; to designate, preserve, promote, and protect canopy roads.
Development of a preferred tree planting palette
The planting palette is
meant to be modified on an annual basis giving consideration
to; cold weather events and specific microclimates; current trends in relation
to pests and diseases; and the diversity of the urban forest.
Development of planting establishment and maintenance guidelines
A successful and effective
maintenance plan must; match the capabilities and available workload; and incorporate
current standards and sound horticultural practices, including proper plant
section, planting beds, and efficient irrigation.
Providing a comprehensive list of grant/funding opportunities
Several
potential grant programs for various elements of the plan were identified and have
been applied for in some cases.
Coordination of public workshops
The plan was closely
coordinated with city staff and the Tree and Land Preservation Board. In
addition, the project went through an extensive public process to educate,
inform, and build consensus with the community including; a public meeting which
included local nursery representatives, the Florida Forest Service and other
community members and key stakeholders; planning commission review and approval; city
council review and adoption; and coordination with the Florida Department of
Transportation.
Credits:
Landscape Architect Sub Consultant : John Moody, RLA, ASLA - John Moody &
Associates, Inc.
Advisory Board : City of Bradenton, Tree and Land Preservation Board (TLPB)
Adoption of
Document by Resolution 11-56: Bradenton City Council
Financial Contribution: City of Bradenton Woodbury Tree Fund
Financial Contribution: Colleen Mackin, Executive Director - USGBC, Florida Gulf Coast
Chapter, Myakka River Branch
Financial
Contribution-Production Assistance, providing 400 additional copies for public
distribution:
Chris
Hice - Kimley-Horn and Associates,
Inc.