During the meeting, there was considerable debate regarding the landscape technical manual ordinance. Concerns were raised about the inclusion of certain palm species susceptible to lethal bronzing disease within the city’s recommended plant list for landscapers. The disease, which has been affecting native cabbage palms, has potential negative impacts on both landscaping aesthetics and the local ecosystem. A public commenter underscored the importance of native plants and their role in the ecosystem. The commission deliberated on how to balance the city’s landscaping requirements with ecological concerns, ultimately voting to remove several palm trees from the recommended list and amending the ordinance to include a footnote about the disease.

Further discussions ensued on updating the list of recommended plants for landscapers. There was a particular focus on ensuring the list accurately reflected Bard County native plants versus those native to Florida at large. Kim Gibbs of the Native Plant Society presented a Bard County native plant list, emphasizing their ecosystem value. The commission proposed merging this list with the existing one and adding incentives for using native plants in development projects. They also debated the impact on tree count for development projects if certain palms were removed from the list. The commission voted unanimously to merge the two lists, update the native column to include labels for Bard native, Florida Regional native, and non-native plants, and to remove certain palm trees from the list due to concerns about lethal bronzing.

The meeting also included a presentation about environmental issues concerning Cumberland Farms. Evidence of ongoing leaks and contamination was presented, including images and audio recordings, which raised concerns about the use of certain measuring tools and the lack of action to address the contamination. The commission allowed the presenter extra time to present this evidence, highlighting the gravity of the environmental and regulatory issues surrounding the site.

In addition, the commission discussed a property on South Washington Avenue, referencing potential contamination, benzene levels, and associated health risks. The commission recommended that the city council expedite the resolution of the issue for the safety of the community.

The commission also discussed its participation in the Enchanted Forest Earth Day event in 2024, addressing logistical concerns and the need for materials and resources to educate the public on environmental topics such as water conservation and native plants.

In other business, the Native Municipal Tree Canopy and Landscape Management Trust Fund was introduced to assess mitigation fees on new developments and provide incentives for low-impact development and the preservation of native plants. There was considerable debate on the specifics of the fund, including the proposed percentages for incentives and the alignment with existing plans.

The meeting also touched on the soil amendment ordinance and the use of landscape trust fund monies for the planting of canopy trees. The commission sought clarification from the city council on these matters, which sparked a debate about policy changes and the involvement of the commission in the planning phase of projects.