We, the undersigned residents of the Gateway neighborhoods within the Gateway Community Development District (GCDD), are very concerned with the increased removal of oak trees and continued discussions from CDD Supervisors and Staff about oak tree removal throughout the district. Under Land Development Code Chapter 10 Article 3 and Chapter 14 Article 5, Lee County has placed special protections on oak and other indigenous trees to prevent excessive pruning and removal. These protections have been enacted to preserve the positive environmental impact of mature trees throughout the county. Based on our concerns we are requesting the following actions be implemented within 45 days of the receipt of this petition by the GCDD Board to prevent further loss of the oak trees that make Gateway a signature area of Lee County.

• Because of the reckless and careless removal of oak trees in the recent past, we request that ALL oak tree removals in the CDD be placed as an agenda item at regular CDD meetings to be approved by vote by the board of supervisors.
• If an oak tree in the CDD is lost or removed for any reason, it will be replaced with another oak tree as soon as possible.
• The CDD staff will within 45 days begin to restore and replant oak trees along Gateway Boulevard and other roadways in the GCDD that have been lost over time or removed. The goal of this replanting should be to preserve and improve the oak canopy throughout the district.
• The CDD will establish a landscape advisory committee made up of GCDD residents who will review landscape plans presented by the staff and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors about landscape projects or changes.