Minutes - UF-Facilities Planning & Construction - University of Florida

DRAFT 

MINUTES 

University Lakes, Vegetation and Landscape Committee 

May 13, 2013 at 1:00 PM 

Facilities, Planning and Construction Conference Room, 

226 Stadium West 

The University Lakes, Vegetation and Landscape Committee (ULVLC) met at the University of Florida 

Facilities Planning and Construction Division Conference Room 226 Stadium West. 

Members attending: 

Linda Dixon – Facilities, Planning and Construction 

Fred Gratto – Physical Plant 

Gail Hansen De Chapman – Environmental Horticulture 

Greg MacDonald – Agronomy 

Mark Siburt – City of Gainesville 

Stephanie Sims - Sustainability 

Jason Smith – Forest Resources and Conservation - Chair 

Members not attending: 

Thomas Conlon – Pediatrics 

Linda Hayward – Physiological Sciences 

Jeff Holcomb – University Police Department 

Bob Miller – Business Affairs 

Carol Walker – Facilities, Planning and Construction 

Steve Walton - Student 

Emma Weeks – Entomology and Nematology 

Also attending: 

Erik Lewis – Facilities, Panning and Construction 

Frank Javaheri- Facilities, Panning and Construction 

Cydney McGlothlin - Facilities, Panning and Construction 

Shawn Webber – CHW, Inc. 

Jack Ponikvar – Ponikvar & Associates 

Mark Hill – Housing 

Norb Dunkel - Housing 

I. Adoption of Agenda & Minutes 

Motion: Gail Hansen moved to approve the agenda and minutes. 

Second: Greg MacDonald 

Motion Carried Unanimously 

Election of Chair 

Jason Smith asked if anyone was interested in being chair for the upcoming year. Gail Hansen De Chapman 

said that she was willing. 

Motion: Greg MacDonald nominated Gail Hansen De Chapman as Chair. 

Second: Gail Hansen De Chapman


II. MINOR PROJECTS 

Band Practice Field (Pony Field) – Light Installation Frank Javaheri 

Frank said that he was before the committee to get approval for a lighting installation on the northwest end of 

Pony Field. He recapped the improvements made to the field previously and that they had added lights on the 

east side to help with night time practices. He said that the band director feels that lights are insufficient and he 

would like to have installed two new poles near the band tower, or at the north and south ends facing east 

towards the field. Frank said the final location will be chosen by a lighting specialist and that they would 

minimize lighting bleed into the adjacent Conservation Area. He also, noted that the lights are only used during 

practice from 4-8 PM. 

Stephanie Sims asked about making the existing lights brighter. Frank said the existing ones are very bright and 

that since they face west brighter ones would bleed more into the Conservation Area. Gail Hansen De Chapman 

asked about the height of the poles. Frank said they were looking at 25- 30 foot poles that are not as high as the 

other side. Greg McDonald suggested that they consider adding the new lights to the tower. Frank said that they 

would look at that option. Jason Smith asked if there would be issues with the lights creating issues with the 

cars along Gale Lemerand. Frank said that they would add shade /eyebrows to direct the light downward. Jason 

said that the project should coordinate with the FDOT greenway project. Frank said that they have been 

coordinating, but that the band director wants to put in the lights this summer and the greenway project is still in 

design. Jason said that Frank should coordinate with Jeff Holcomb about safety issues and angles. Frank assured 

him that he would coordinate with UPD on the installation. Greg asked if the electrical would be run 

underground, which Frank answered in the affirmative. 

Motion: Greg MacDonald made the motion to approve the project as presented. 

Second: Gail Hansen De Chapman 


III. MAJOR PROJECTS 

UF-400 Single Student Housing Frank Javaheri 

Frank recapped his previous visit to the committee for site approval back in November. He noted that at that 

presentation there had been concern about the heritage Live Oak on the site and that he had said they would try 

and avoid it. He continued that he had Jack Ponikvar, project architect, with him to go over the design scenarios 

they had put together. Jack went over the site constraints noting that he was advised to avoid impacting the 

drive that parallels 13 th Street, needed to be placed by the Disability Center and to stay under 5 stories since it 

was within the Historic Area Impact Zone. He went over 7 various footprints placed on the site and said that the 

program specified a minimum footprint to accommodate the specialized rooms they would be putting in on the 

1st floor for people with profound disabilities. He discussed the various scenarios and said that the only one that 

worked with the constraints mentioned (in addition to the slope of the site and with Yulee Pit to the south) was 

the L-shaped one, which he said would require the elimination of a heritage Live Oak and Pecan (heritage) that 

they were trying to avoid. 

Gail Hansen De Chapman asked if they could reduce/change the circle drive to avoid the Live Oak. Linda 

Dixon said that there were additional heritage oaks inside the circle drive. Jason Smith noted that the proposed 

orientation of the building (parallel to 13 th Street as opposed to angled away like Reid and Yulee) was different 

than adjacent ones and that the result seemed a bit odd. Jason asked if there would be a sidewalk on the west 

side. Jack said that there would be sidewalks on the east and west, and said regarding the orientation that the 

Division of Historical Resources had said that the building “should be of its time”. Gail asked if there would be 

parking losses. Jack said that they are currently projecting 22 spaces being removed. Stephanie Sims asked the 

reason for the height limitations. Jack said that the Division of Historical Resources would reject any higher 

than 4 stories on the north and 5 on the south (slope). Gail asked how the building occupants would access the 

main campus. Jack showed the path they would take on the north side by Reid Hall and up towards Fine Arts 

and said that they would be working with Ken Osfield to get the ADA requirement correct. Jack showed an

image of the large tress they were proposing to use as mitigation for the Live Oak and Pecan. Stephanie asked 

why the Pecan needed to be removed. Jack said that for the students to access the Disability Center they would 

need to remove the Pecan and showed the site constraints on the screen. He said that they would be replacing 

the Pecan and oak with two large oaks and showed images of their proposed landscape placement along with an 

image of larger live oaks in a nursery. Gail asked the size of the Live Oak being removed. Jack said it was 34 

dbh and that the new live oaks would be of a similar scale (12 dbh). Jason noted that the project would be 

coming back one more time and that the basic change they were being asked to approve was the removal of the 

Pecan and Live Oak. Mark Siburt said that that he was concerned about the planting of such large trees and the 

required care needed to get them established. Linda suggested that they get a warranty for them. Mark 

suggested that they be dropped from a 12 dbh tree to an 8 dbh tree. Jason said that he agreed with Mark. Gail 

asked who would be responsible for making sure they were established. Jack said that David Conner, Landscape 

Architect, would put it in the purchase contract. Linda noted that the contract needed to include a few years of 

warranty. Jason said that they should also ensure that good soil is put in, not the typical builders sand. Gail 

noted that they would need to be irrigated until established. Jack said that they would present the specifications 

the next time they came before the committee. 

Motion: Gail Hansen De Chapman made the motion to approve the project with the larger Live Oaks 

reduced from 12 dbh to 8 dbh, including a 3 year warranty, individual irrigation and improved 

soil. 



UF-368 Reitz Union Expansion Cydney McGlothlin 

Cydney said that the project was at design development and that she would be bringing back a more detailed 

landscape design after the Reitz Union Lawn Master plan was completed. She said they would be moving the 

three large date palms to the new Clinical Translational Research Building on Mowry and Gale Lemerand. 

Cydney showed the previous north lawn design that had led to the master planning exercise and noted that 

instead of bridges and swales they were grading up to the building. She went over the south side design stating 

the David Conner, landscape architect, wants to include more native plantings in the area adjacent to the 

Constans Theatre and said that she is not sure yet whether there will be additional tree impacts beyond what she 

had covered previously. Cydney said that they gotten Housing to agree to mill the heritage Spruce Pine that was 

being removed on the north side and will include the wood in the Reitz as furniture or accents. She went over 

the renderings of the building and it’s interior. 

Gail Hansen De Chapman asked about putting trees back in the amphitheater, stating that it seems sparsely used 

due to the lack of shade. Cydney said that they were not planning on putting in trees and that the user group 

says the site is well used, particularly in the evening. Jason Smith asked about the sidewalk connection coming 

up from the Constans and access. Cydney showed a rendering of the connection. Stephanie Sims asked about 

access to the Constans, which Cydney said would be through the addition once completed. Gail asked about 

glare from all the glass. Cydney said the glass was non-reflective, so she did not think it would be an issue. 

Stephanie suggested that potted trees be considered for the south side above the amphitheater. Erik Lewis asked 

Cydney whether they were still thinking of using solar table umbrellas in that area, which she said they were. 

There was additional discussion of the south side regarding shade, maintenance and irrigation. Gail said that she 

thought some small trees placed in the amphitheater would enhance the space’s daytime use and soften the look 

of the area. Jason noted that there are some nice Chinese fan palms around the theatre that he uses for teaching. 

Motion: Gail Hansen De Chapman moved to approve the project as presented. 



IV. MINOR PROJECTS 

Reitz Union Lawn Master Plan Cydney McGlothlin

Cydney stated that the master planning project had been initiated as result of concerns with how the Reitz Union 

expansion would impact the lawn, noting that the first concept presented for the expansion had shown a large 

encroachment into the lawn space by the associated landscape. She said that Linda Dixon, Erik Lewis and Carol 

Walker had felt that the whole lawn should be looked at as a whole rather than taking a piecemeal approach and 

thus it had been decided to have the landscape architect doing the Reitz expansion, David Conner, take a more 

expansive approach and come up with recommendations for the entire landscape. She showed the site 

boundaries stretching from the eastern end at Marston / CSE extending west to the western end of the Reitz 

Union. She showed some of the previous master plans that had been done that included the lawn, but also 

included a much larger area. She went over the pedestrian movements, noting that the southern sidewalks are 

heavier used during the day (trees – direct) and the northern ones at night (no trees – more lights). She said that 

they were trying to come up with solutions for bikes, both on the rack side and how to address the conflicts with 

pedestrians. Cydney continued that David Conner had made the point that the lawn could go for a long while 

with no additional tree planting, noting recent planting all over the eastern side and that it would be a good time 

to remove some of these before they get too large to find new locations for them. She said that he made the 

point that people are not able to appreciate the expanse of the space, since the trees block the views from the 

Reitz up to Marston / CSE. Linda Dixon said that there has been a lot of discussion about the planting of trees in 

every open space and the need to have a more formal plan for the plantings. Cydney went over David’s ideas 

for around the Hub, which included realigning the sidewalks, creating more seating areas and enhancing the 

pedestrian movements in the service drive. She noted that the only building on the lawn that addresses it is 

McCarty. She said that another of David’s observations was the need to have wider sidewalks and said that it 

was an issue all over campus. She continued that his recommendation was that the sidewalks on the north and 

south side be expanded to around 18-20 feet with bricks in the interior and concrete on the edges, explaining 

that bikes and skateboards would be more likely to use the smooth surface on the edges, leaving the middle for 

pedestrians. Cydney said that they were working on the emergency access issues on how to get on to the lawn 

near the Reitz and showed the drive coming up by the eastern edge of the Constans. She went over David’s plan 

to change the terraces in front on the eastern side of the Marston /CSE, with one concept to eliminate the current 

planting and trees and replace them with tables and umbrellas that would give additional seating to the people 

eating lunch at the Hub and would enhance the view created by the slope looking west. She showed where the 

Nuclear Engineering expansion was considered in the plan and how the sidewalk had been moved to address 

concerns with that building. She said that David’s plan would also include some recommendations for Dairy 

Pond (opening up on the north, planting natives on the other sides) and for enhancing the pedestrian corridor 

though the service drive on the south side of Marston. She said that they were looking at some options for 

reducing car traffic in the Marston and Hub service drives. 

Jason Smith said that in order to get the open concept in the lawn, they would need to get rid of the smaller trees 

and come up with some ideas for trees along the two major walkways. Cydney said they were looking for 

something deciduous and Erik Lewis asked whether White Ash would be appropriate. Jason said that they are 

susceptible to a bore disease. Cydney said that the first funded initiative for the lawn’s implementation will be 

the Reitz expansion and then as other projects come forward the plan would be to get them to follow the 

concept plan. Linda agreed and said that the plan outside of the Union has no funding, much like the Plaza of 

Americas plan, but will serve as the landscape format for other projects as they come along. Stephanie Sims 

asked if other buildings are planning additions or changes. Linda said that Williamson has an inefficient 

footprint and that the east end of the Hub may be eliminated at some point (insensitive addition to an historic 

building), along with a possible Constans addition. Jason asked if there were any plans for McCarty. Linda 

McCarty C (auditorium) may be replaced in the future. Jason noted that the plan would clarify the boundaries of 

lawn. Greg MacDonald said that Dairy Pond needs to be cleaned up and potentially aerated. Linda said that she 

had seen that some work had been done on the south side of the pond and that David’s plan called for planting 

native trees in that area. Stephanie asked about bike parking. Cydney showed the locations they were looking at 

around the Reitz. Jason asked what the surface material would be on the north side of the Reitz. Cydney said 

that the preliminary plan called for some colorful pavement. Jason asked if the paving would be level. Cydney 

said that it would be slightly grading and ADA compliant. 

Motion: Greg MacDonald moved to approve the project as presented. 

Second: Gail Hansen De Chapman 

Motion Carried Unanimously

Hull Road Expansion Shawn Webber 

Linda Dixon introduced Shawn Webber for CHW again to the committee and recapped the plan to allow an 

adjacent landowner to connect SW 38th Terrace to UF’s Hull Road (creating a connection to SW 20 th Ave.). 

She continued that the landowner is giving the University a new parking area and capping the former landfill 

site for allowing connection through UF’s property. Linda said that Shawn was back before the committee to go 

over tree impacts and that there were more impacts than originally thought. Shawn went over the plan he had 

presented previously and showed the location of the tree impacts. He said that most of the tree impacts were 

outside of a fence on a relatively steep slope that had not been maintained and that as a result a lot of small 

trees, primarily hackberries, had grown up. He did a photo walk through of the proposed route and discussed the 

trees that would be impacted. He showed some pines that would be removed. Gail Hansen De Chapman asked 

how many pines were being removed. Shawn said that there were 10 ranging from 8-10 dbh. He went over the 

soil issues due to the underlying contamination and noted that the road will sit on a geo-grid that will not allow 

trees in the median, but that there will be trees on the edge of the street. 

Gail asked if trees should be added to the eastside of the retention pond shown on the diagrams. Shawn said that 

they could consider it, but that the contamination was close and that there is also the issue of a utility easement. 

He went over the tree impacts saying that they were proposing to mitigate the pines at 2:1 and the 42 dbh laurel 

oak at 8:1 per the LVL Tree Mitigation Policy. He continued that they were hoping not to have to mitigate for 

the Hackberries, which are primarily between 3 & 7 dbh. Jason Smith asked about the location of various trees, 

which Shawn went over. Gail asked whether they could avoid the Laurel Oak. Shawn said that a driveway 

comes through the area and that they are having to add fill, which will bury the roots and base. Shawn went 

over the landscape plan and said that they had been planning to use Cathedral Live Oaks, but that Linda flagged 

these based on previous LVL comments, so the project was considering non-cultivar Live Oaks or Bluff Oaks. 

Jason said that he agreed on not using the Cathedrals, but supported the Bluff Oaks. Mark Siburt said that 

FDOT specs Cathedrals, but that the City would be fine with Bluff Oaks. Gail asked about the spread on the 

oaks. Jason said they are not a big as a Live Oak, but seem to tolerate streetscapes. Shawn said that with that 

change he would be putting in 31, 65-gallon, Bluff Oaks on UF property as part of the mitigation plan. 

Shawn recapped the tree impacts and mitigation from earlier (2:1 on pines and few others, 8:1 on the 42 dbh 

Laurel and not mitigation for the Hackberries). He continued that if he was required to mitigate all 90 

hackberries it would total $ 55,000 and the developer would not agree to it. Mark Siburt said that the 3 dbh 

threshold was too small to mitigate compared to City standards. Jason noted that UF has different objectives 

than the City, but that the main issue was that these trees came up due to a lack of maintenance. Jason continued 

that they need to update the mitigation policy to take into account situations like this and the Remote Library. 

Mark asked if the Hackberries were creating issues for the landfill, which Shawn said was not an issue. Mark 

said that in a similar situation on Depot Avenue, they had only required mitigation on high quality heritage 

trees. Jason said that he was scared of the precedent created by only mitigating heritage trees. Stephanie Sims 

asked if they should only mitigate the Hackberries above 10-12 dbh. Jason said that he felt comfortable at 

setting it at 12 dbh in this situation and that perhaps it should be across the board for all of the trees being 

impacted on the site. Gail suggested that they relocate the smaller Live Oaks. Linda recapped the discussion and 

noted that they would only be mitigating tree 12 dbh and bigger. 

Motion: Gail Hansen De Chapman made the motion to approve standard mitigation on trees 12 dbh and 

larger. 



V. OTHER BUISNESS 

Tree Report Fred Gratto 

Fred said that Linda Dixon had asked him to address some landscaping at Dairy Pond. He said that someone 

had scuffed up the area doing a project and that PPD-Grounds had come in and removed the debris and laid 

down mulch. Linda noted that the area around the pond is Conservation and requires the replanting of natives. 

Fred said that Donna, Marty Wert’s replacement, was going to put in some River Birch. Linda said that David

Conner had suggested reforesting that side to screen all the utilities and loading/parking areas. Fred agreed that 

the area could use some vegetation. Linda asked if he could develop a replanting plan for the area. Fred said that 

perhaps in the fall when he has more staff support. 

There being no further business for discussion, the meeting adjourned at 2:50 PM.

Minutes - UF-Facilities Planning & Construction - University of Florida

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