Direction to P&Z – Tree Preservation Ordinance Review

[Paul Roberts]

I’m placing an item on our June 5th Council agenda directing the Planning & Zoning Commission to revisit our tree preservation ordinance, specifically the provision that allows fees in lieu of tree replacement.

PRAC discussed related concerns during their May 14, 2025 meeting. If Brad allows, I’ll try to briefly raise this under Councilor Prince’s PRAC liaison comments or Councilor Durbin’s P&Z liaison comments at tonight’s meeting. Otherwise, waiting until June 5 means this won’t reach the P&Z agenda until July, which I’d prefer to avoid if possible.

As many of you know, P&Z formed a subcommittee last year to review potential changes to the ordinance, but that subcommittee hasn’t met in over six months, and no recommendations have come forward. Given ongoing concerns about tree canopy loss, development pressure, and how in-lieu fees are structured and used, I believe it’s time to restart that conversation.

The intent here is not to pre-judge the outcome, but simply to ensure the issue is formally back on the table for discussion and possible action. Staff would assist by providing background materials to P&Z and supporting any follow-up the Commission may recommend to Council.

Happy to discuss further at tonight’s meeting.

 

[Adam Benefield]

Thanks for bringing this up. It’s needed for sure.

 

[Paul Prince]

Commenting to get this back on the radar... I'm hoping P&Z with our new Development Services Director in place can address this soon.

Some months back PRAC requested that council consider updates to the tree protection ordinance on these topics:
1. Consider reducing the minimum tree size that is protected from the current 10" to something less, noting that a number of central Texas cities set protected size at 8 or even 6 inches.
2. Consider increasing the "fee-in-lieu-of replacement" to more accurately reflect current cost of tree replacement
3. Consider updating the current allowed use of these funds by removing the words "pocket park" to allow general application towards city park improvements. The current sentence reads: "...these funds shall be restricted for the planting of trees or other greenery, for development or improvements of trails, or for development or improvement of pocket parks as determined by the City Council."

Council has asked P&Z to consider these questions and make a recommendation to Council.