Miami Residents Speak Up for the Trees, Against City Ordinance as Vote Is Delayed Again

In the City of Miami, where the palm trees sway,
A big shiny plan has entered the fray.
They're talking of laws, of rules to be made,
To make it easier to chop down trees — oh, what a crusade!

On Tuesday around noon, more than a dozen tree lovers gathered at Miami City Hall to fight a proposed ordinance that would make it easier to cut down trees. Proposed last October by city commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela, the ordinance would allow residents to cut down trees without a permit if they're non-native, less than 18 inches in diameter, damaged by an act of God, or in the way of construction activity.

It notably also gives developers the same right as homeowners to cut down trees.

While commissioners say the ordinance would help streamline the permitting process, which Gabela himself called "antiquated," opponents say it favors developers at the expense of the environment.

"The proposed changes would expand exemptions and loosen the criteria presently required for tree removal, making it easier for property owners and developers to destroy healthy, life-giving trees," the Tropical Audubon Society, one of several environmental groups that has opposed the ordinance, wrote on its website.

It continues: "Any future changes to the City of Miami Tree Ordinance should enhance, not weaken, environmental protections, and include fact-based input from all community stakeholders."

Grove Watch Group, a collection of Coconut Grove residents, is also keeping an eye on the ordinance. It summarized the meeting on its Facebook page, noting that "many tree experts, professionals, and residents spoke out against the current proposal."

"Opponents of the proposal will continue to work together to expose the weaknesses of the proposed ordinance and gain support for improvements," the Facebook post goes on to say.

A vote on the ordinance, which was first introduced in October, was deferred once again to the next city commission meeting on January 23.

Gabela, who proposed the controversial ordinance, was on vacation and didn’t attend Tuesday's meeting. District 2 Commissioner Damian Pardo was the only commissioner in attendance.

In a January 16 press release, the Downtown Neighbors Alliance (DNA) called on Pardo to take a stance against the proposed ordinance.

DNA president James Torres wrote in the release that the meeting led by commissioner Pardo was an "unnecessary spectacle that failed to address the core issues threatening Miami’s tree canopy."

"This meeting was nothing more than a performance," Torres wrote. "Residents have already made their voices loud and clear — they oppose this harmful ordinance. Pardo’s role is to act, not distract with theatrics. Miami needs leadership, not another round of political posturing."

New Times left a message with Pardo and will update the story when we hear back from the commissioner.

As reported by WLRN's Joshua Ceballos, tree removal under the current system can sometimes be a lengthy process that requires several permitting approvals and fees. If a permit isn't granted, residents can appeal but must pay an accompanying fee upwards of $800.

"We're trying to cut through the red tape of when you can trim a tree," Gabela told WLRN. "In my area, not everybody has the money or the know-how to get permits right now."