Brooksville City Council Approves Specimen Oak Removals for 440-Acre Development

The Brooksville City Council voted March 16 to approve specimen live oak removals for two separate development projects, clearing a path for construction on a combined footprint that includes a 440.2-acre site while extracting preservation commitments from developers in exchange for its approval.

Landmark Engineering Corp., acting on behalf of HBWB Development, brought the larger of the two requests before the council. The 440.2-acre project has a lengthy history at City Hall: at a February 9 council meeting, Landmark president Todd Amaden had sought removal of 119 of 501 live oak specimen trees on the property, proposing to retain 382 specimens and plant 1,430 new trees, but the council tabled that request while the applicant worked with city staff. The March 16 vote marked the council's approval of the revised request, with the developer agreeing to make an effort to preserve additional trees around the dog park and the west side of the entrance.

Mayor Christa Tanner set the tone for the discussion. "I think this could be used as an example of a great collaboration," she said. "I'm a little bias, but between a board and a developer, I really appreciate you all working with us. I've been on this council now for 3 1/2 years. I can almost say with certainty, this is the best conversation back and forth I have had with a developer in regard to tree mitigation and what was asked of this council and then coming back. I think that speaks volumes." Tanner also noted that the council's authority was limited to deciding tree removal itself; the developer's preservation pledges around the dog park and the entrance's west side were what ultimately moved the council to vote in favor.

The second request involved a 41.19-acre property on the north side of Wiscon Road, approximately 615 feet west of the Wiscon-Broad Street intersection, immediately east of Horse Lake Road and south of Barnett Road. That application called for removing 62 live oak specimen trees, out of 79 total trees proposed for removal on the parcel.

Both approvals came with conditions attached. The council voted to approve the requests with negotiation for tree mitigation still pending and with the explicit understanding that applications for ensuing construction phases will return before the council for additional review.

Council member Hallal captured what distinguished this proceeding from the more contentious tree removal battles Brooksville has seen. "I'm not totally a zero, but I definitely would like to negotiate that with you," Hallal said, signaling continued engagement on mitigation terms. "Other than that I thank you guys. What the mayor said is so true; it's usually a battle up here. You guys have been top-notch and we really appreciate it."

The precise number of specimen live oaks approved for removal on the HBWB site in the March vote, along with the formal mitigation commitments and any binding planting or fee arrangements, were not specified in council documentation available at the time of publication. Future phases of both projects will require additional council appearances, giving residents further opportunity to weigh in on the tree mitigation terms before construction advances.