Pensacola Land Development Code Update Hearing Raises Tree Concerns

Tree removal fees increased by 400%, and confusing Land Development Code (LDC) language has both the public and officials caught up in the weeds of worry.

However, many residents who raised concerns at the September 24 meeting may not realize the tree discussion has been ongoing for months. The removal fee for protected trees increased from $400 to $1,500, a change the Pensacola Planning Board approved in June and wrote into the proposed LDC code.

Two months later, on August 11, the Pensacola Planning Board’s review of the LDC raised concerns, with board members noting "multiple changes" from what they were originally presented with.

(Photo: City of Pensacola Agenda, September 24, 2026)

The biggest change: tree ordinance financials, sponsored by Mayor D.C. Reeves and Councilman Jared Moore, jumped the removal cost by hundreds.

At the Pensacola City Council’s 2nd Hearing and 1st Reading on September 24, initial concerns returned after Inspire Placemaking Collective Principal Planner Patricia Tyjeski explained that, after researching the code and holding work sessions with stakeholders and officials, the group found many repetitive issues.  They also had sessions with the public, which resident Renee Borden reminded Tyjeski and officials about.

“Many of us have been following the process of the LDC update since the beginning,” Borden said. “We have weighed in on online surveys, we have attended open houses, and we engaged with Inspire and attended various board meetings.”

(Photo: City of Pensacola Presentation September 24, 2026)

The biggest change: tree ordinance financials, sponsored by Mayor D.C. Reeves and Councilman Jared Moore, jumped the removal cost by hundreds.

At the Pensacola City Council’s 2nd Hearing and 1st Reading on September 24, initial concerns returned after Inspire Placemaking Collective Principal Planner Patricia Tyjeski explained that, after researching the code and holding work sessions with stakeholders and officials, the group found many repetitive issues.  They also held sessions with the public, which resident Renee Borden reminded Tyjeski and officials about.

“Many of us have been following the process of the LDC update since the beginning,” Borden said. “We have weighed in on online surveys, we have attended open houses, and we engaged with Inspire and attended various board meetings.”

At every meeting, Borden and others were told the tree ordinance was a “hot topic.”

(Photo: Renee Borden, City of Pensacola)

“We were reassured there would be plenty of time in the future to revise the tree ordinance and strengthen the tree canopy.

“Then we heard during the mayor’s recent campaign that there was a proposed stronger addendum coming to change the tree ordinance language and allow greater mitigation fees and better protection for large trees,” Borden said, adding the August Planning Board meeting left officials and her with many questions for city staff.

“The language is ambiguous and difficult to understand,” Borden said, adding the board asked for further clarification. “But yesterday at the mayor’s press conference he stated that the Planning Board was unfamiliar with Florida Statute 180 and that the recommendations the board was trying to make were not an option.”

(Photo: Nannette Chandler, City of Pensacola)

“We were reassured there would be plenty of time in the future to revise the tree ordinance and strengthen the tree canopy.

“Then we heard during the mayor’s recent campaign that there was a proposed stronger addendum coming to change the tree ordinance language and allow greater mitigation fees and better protection for large trees,” Borden said, adding the August Planning Board meeting left officials and her with many questions for city staff.

“The language is ambiguous and difficult to understand,” Borden said, adding the board asked for further clarification. “But yesterday at the mayor’s press conference he stated that the Planning Board was unfamiliar with Florida Statute 180 and that the recommendations the board was trying to make were not an option.”

(Photo: Maria Rosasco, City of Pensacola)

As far as the tree canopy is concerned, Nannette Chandler said, "The actual ordinance says that only 10% of the total trunk diameter of any protected tree on said piece of property needs to be protected."

“That’s fine whenever you have an area that is forested or already developed before," Chandler said.

But most every lot in the city of Pensacola is a redevelopment, Chandler said, adding, “it’s already been cleared.” Bottom line, Chandler said, the LDC no longer reflects the circumstances when it was originally written.

“It is not an accurate representation of what we have here in Pensacola,” Chandler said.

Like Chandler, Maria Rosasco attended several meetings, noting that, as far as tree protection was concerned, "it was discussed that the replant mitigation fee is going from $400 to $1,500 per three-inch replacement."

(Photo: Bren Heatley, City of Pensacola)

Rosasco brought everyone’s attention to the code as she read, “The mitigation cap remains at the current 1,000 dollars for residential developments of four units or less.”

“So basically nothing is changing to protect the mature canopy in existing neighborhoods,” Rosasco said. “The mayor said it was Senate Bill 180 that is the reason the Planning Board cannot make more restrictive changes to the addendum.”

"But then how can the addendum make more restrictive changes to the LDC rewrite?” Borascoo asked, adding, “I don’t know; it confuses me.”

Bren Heatley, an East Pensacola resident, said she lives where up to 18 heritage trees were cut down after she moved here from Los Angeles.

“I just want to speak about the profitability of the trees,” Heatley said, making it clear It’s not about the Benjamins. “I remember a time stepping outside of my home in Los Angeles, and I couldn’t hear a single bird because there were not enough trees for them to survive and thrive there.”

Heatley said she moved to Pensacola because of the trees. Literally, she had a $12K scholarship to attend a massage school, and she chose the one with the most trees on the lot so she could sit under them at lunch and “feel my nervous system restored.”

Not nervous at all at the podium, Heatley made it clear to officials that, when it comes to the money, millionaire developers have no problem paying $1,500 a pop to clear a lot.

But about the people that came here for the trees, like her, Heatley asked, before saying, "It’s hard for us because I don’t have the money to stop a millionaire."

The public comment ended with City Administrator David Stafford offering a “little clarification” on the tree ordinance.

(Photo: Pensacola City Administrator David Stafford, City of Pensacola)

"Just to be clear, the tree ordinance that Councilman Moore, the mayor, staff, legal, and a multitude of city staff have been working on for months did go to the Planning Board, and the feedback was received," Stafford said.

Stafford's comment contradicts Borden, who stated Planning Board members admitted confusion at the last meeting. Stafford said the ordinance will go back to the Planning Board, then be put on the October 19th Agenda Conference.

The second and final reading is November 12, according to Stafford, who told the public an arborist and city staff were available to answer questions.