NORTH PORT — The City of North Port’s Environmental Advisory Board will meet at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, November 3 in City Hall Room 244, to discuss local environmental policies, tree mitigation processes, and upcoming development projects.
According to the meeting agenda, the board will review the minutes from its October 6 meeting before hearing a presentation by Stefan Kalev, Natural Resources Division Manager. The presentation will focus on the city’s Environmental Policy and Tree Mitigation Process, which outlines how North Port balances development with natural preservation.
Kalev’s report details how the city’s approach follows the Unified Land Development Code (ULDC), the Comprehensive Plan, and the 2022–2025 Strategic Vision Plan. These documents guide conservation efforts and development standards with the goal of maintaining environmental resiliency and sustainability.
Under the city’s Strategic Vision Plan, North Port aims to safeguard and expand its tree canopy through specific initiatives, including preserving trees in development projects and supporting a 35 percent citywide tree canopy target. The plan also encourages the use of software tools to track canopy coverage and integrate green infrastructure standards into development codes.
The ULDC includes detailed chapters on site development and natural resources. These sections establish regulations to protect wetlands, water bodies, endangered species, and tree preservation. The city’s tree mitigation process assigns point values to trees based on species and size, providing financial incentives for developers who conserve rather than remove trees.
The agenda also lists new business items, including potential recommendations on tree mitigation, possible land acquisition areas, and the approval of the Environmental Advisory Board’s 2026 annual meeting schedule.
Public comments are welcome at the meeting. Attendees wishing to speak must submit a “Request to Speak” card to the City Clerk before addressing the board.
