CC MEETING: April 16, 2024
DATE: April 3, 2024
TO: Erin Rinehart, City Manager
FROM: Ravi Shah, Director of Development Services
Marc Guy, Assistant City Manager
Title
Consider A Resolution Adopting The Tree Removal And Replacement Program Policy.
Body
BACKGROUND:
On March 7, 2023, staff introduced to the City Council Re-Development Committee a framework to create a program to remove and replace trees that had been excessively trimmed near powerlines within the rights-of-way of the City’s major roadway corridors. On April 4, 2023, this program was presented to the City Council. On December 5, 2023, the Re-Development Committee was briefed on a pilot program proposal.
On April 2, 2024, a modification to the program was presented to the Re-Development Committee to include trees on private property in strategic locations that have likewise been excessively trimmed.
Oncor recently pruned several trees on private property in the Carroll Crest development, which is currently under construction, on Crosby Road. The trees were on private property but the canopies extended into the public right-of-way and were under the overhead powerlines. Staff has identified other areas in the City with similar conditions and is recommending an amendment to the program that will allow the City to work with property owners that would be affected by future pruning actions on trees that are under overhead powerlines but are located on private property. The trees would be evaluated based on the same rating system established in the original tree removal and replacement program. Staff’s proposal is to provide grant assistance to the property owner to remove and replace affected trees. Staff has developed grant criteria that complies with State law regarding economic development grants.
The Re-Development Committee was supportive of the program modifications. A draft resolution and policy is presented for consideration by City Council.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
There will be some financial implications to the City as tree removal and replacement grants are approved and property owners are reimbursed within the guidelines of the policy. Funding is available from the Tree Reforestation Fund.
IMPACT ON COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY:
The tree removal and replacement program is intended to have a positive impact on community sustainability by beautifying the City’s major roadway corridors and removing blight.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION/ACTION DESIRED:
Staff recommends City Council approval of a resolution amending the policy guidelines of the Tree Removal and Replacement Program.