Moulton pushing tree ordinance changes
Moulton Properties is pushing last-minute changes to the proposed tree ordinance. The current proposal is several years in the making and is the product of many stakeholder meetings and extensive consensus building. It is unfortunate that Moulton Properties has claimed to support the consensus version only to come forward with these changes at the eleventh hour.
Progressive Pensacola wholeheartedly supports the current consensus version of changes to the City’s tree ordinance. It’s apparent to everyone but the developers that we need a stronger tree ordinance. Making no change, or taking a step backward, as some of Moulton’s proposals would have us do, will result in decreased oxygen production. If oxygen production is not boosted, the City of Pensacola will likely, in the near future, fail to meet federal Clean Air Act minimum air quality standards, which would result in decreased federal funding for transportation projects.
Included below is the present consensus version of the ordinance, with changes underlined, followed by the Moulton proposal and the response from Emerald Coastkeeper, a local environmental group.
Current proposed tree ordinance changes
Moulton proposal and Emerald Coastkeeper response
Tree ordinance – proposed changes
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Again — wait and see what happens if the community votes for a strong mayor form of government. Those with money & power will push through policies that serve their interests but not those of the community.
Again.
What chance would regular Joe citizen have to get his last minute idea on the agenda? None.
Money talk$.
Is this guy still on the planning board?
Wake up the city council.
Richard: Yes, Mr. Moulton is still on the Planning Board.
How much does Sacred Heart bank each year by not paying property taxes on their “campus”?
Moulton and the rest of the GOB’s that think they can run the city need a reality check. Hopefully with council members like Larry Johnson this effort will fail. And what is a big developer doing serving on the planning board. This seems like a conflict of interest. Additionally I don’t see why Scared Heart and Baptist should be exempt from this ordinance.
Does anyone know if the 2 hospitals pay the stormwater fee. I know Baptist is in the city limits but not sure about all of Scared Heart.
Moulton Properties bought up all the homes on one side of a block on Lloyd Street, just off Palafox after Hurricane Ivan and has done nothing but let them rot away to the detriment of the property values of adjacent property owners. These were good, solid, homes that needed some attention after Ivan. Now, they sit with rotting roofs, boarded up windows, and overgrown weeds. Only one residential structure was repaired and he quickly put a “For Lease, Commercial Office space” sign out front (even though it does not and never has met commercial building codes because it was built and always used as a residential home for the last one hundred years). I for one, am sick of having Moulton sit on the Planning Board and the city’s Architectural Review Board. Who on earth cares what he would “Plan” or think would look good in Pensacola? We see by his example what he thinks is good enough for Pensacola by the abundance of properties he buys, and sits on, trying to bring DOWN property values in an area until he has had a chance to buy it all up. Message to City Council, get rid of this guy. Do not re-appoint him to sit on the Planning Board or any other board. The plans he and other ‘good ole boys’ make for Pensacola are why we look so awful. Also, where is Code Enforcement?????? Why do we not see Moulton Properties on a Code Enforcement agenda? Who is protecting him and why?
James
Isn’t that boat shack Jack’s relative? It’s a family affair!
They owned the old Saveway grocery on Palafox. Closed it and it remained abandoned except for the rat population. Another slap in the face to North Hill until finally it was renovated as an office complex. Hard to listen to his expert opinions at the planning board knowing the conditions he has created in the city.
Another former ARB board member that there is no point mentioning, but North Hill knows Miller Caldwell well too. He had a house in North Hill that he was practicing demolition by neglect as well as acting as a rat sanctuary until residents outrage forced something to be done.
James said “Why do we not see Moulton Properties on a Code Enforcement agenda”
Behind every eyesore without code enforcement is there a “prominent? name?
Thank you Derek for voicing your opinion regarding DeWeese and Pratt. As a “Regular Citizens” I wrote to all council members and the Mayor, expressed my concern with the original proposed ordinance. I felt that some of the restrictions needed to be even MORE stringent, especially with the removal of the very Large Heritage Canopy trees and the credit to mitigation fees that can be sought and enacted by City Manager if the developer agrees to add additional landscaping! No one but Johnson and Mack responded! NO ONE! But it seems DeWeese and Pratt enjoyed the company of Mr. Emmanuel and De Weese even stated that she visited Sacred Heart to discuss their concerns. I guess as a “regular citizen” I don’t warrant the same care and consideration.
It defies logic that Mr. Emmanuel would make an argument to reduce the amount the hospitals should pay into the tree fund to re-plant trees in order to care for the health of the community and its children. No trees=healthy kids????
I am befuddled, disgusted and ashamed of our lack of environmental awareness and concern here in Pensacola. Please will you do an article and follow up to Mr. Kirshfield’s comments regarding the city’s violation of the Clean Air Act and its non-attainment that could cause Pensacola and I am assuming Escambia County several millions of dollars in Federal money. Why are our Council members not addressing this issue?
“Why are our Council members not addressing this issue?”
Maybe they just don’t give a darn.
From your post two of the ladies on council do give a darn about impressing Sacred Heart and hoofed it over to Sacred Heart and a meeting with the Heart’s attorney. Very thoughtful public servants, aren’t they. They deliver.
Note to regular citizens: If your name isn’t on the li$t of people who matter, forget it!
Sacred is one of the largest tax payers in the city. Baptist pays nothing.
Wrong Granite.
They might own the most property and are assessed values are one of the highest in the city, but
Janet Holley Tax Collector website shows
assessed values = total exemption = 0 taxes due
Zip Nada Nothing