Title
Approving a resolution to remove Heritage Trees from property proposed as the Huntington Park subdivision located at the intersection of Rowe Lane and Rowe Loop.
Summary
A preliminary plan is currently under review for the Huntington Park residential subdivision at the intersection of Rowe Lane and Rowe Loop. On the property are four large ash trees that meet the tree preservation requirements and are defined as "Heritage Trees" (Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) of 25 inches or greater). Per Subchapter 12 of the Unified Development Code (UDC), a Protected Heritage Tree shall not be removed unless specifically approved by City Council. The applicant has attempted to reconfigure the subdivision to retain the ash trees, however in doing so, has created additional constraints within the subdivision including lot depth reductions and the potential loss of two lots. Arizona ash trees are not specifically excluded from Protection status in the UDC and are one of the top ten trees found throughout Pflugerville in a recent street tree sampling by the Texas Forest Service. According to aggie-horticulture.edu they have been widely planted in the state, because Arizona ashes grow rapidly, are drought tolerant and easily raised from seed. They also have a short life span of about 20-30 years.
Mitigation for the removal of protected trees is also referenced in Subchapter 12 of the UDC and requires a replacement tree ratio of 3:1 or a fee of $450 per diameter inch of heritage tree removed. Replacement trees shall be located on site after a tree preservation plan has been approved by Staff. If sufficient space is not available for all required replacement trees on site, the remaining replacement trees shall be planted in a City Park or other publicly owned property as would otherwise be required on site and in the locations approved by Staff.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends approval for the removal of the four (4) ash trees identified as Tree Numbers 763 (35" Ar...
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