Title
Consider a resolution removing the monarch designation for a tree located on a proposed development site at 17 Cypress Boulevard.
Body
This request, submitted by Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc, will remove the monarch tree designation from one (1) tree on the proposed Lovett Industrial development site located at 17 Cypress Blvd. De-designation of the monarch tree will allow it to be removed as part of the development process to accommodate industrial structures, associated parking areas, and drive aisles with fire lanes. If approved by the City Council, 76.5 tree inches must be credited and/or replaced on-site or a fee in the amount of $11,475 shall be paid to the City tree fund. This calculation is solely for the removal of monarch trees and does not include removal fees or replacement inches for any protected trees that are proposed for removal.
A total of two (2) healthy monarch trees were surveyed on-site:
Tree #636 - 25.5” red oak species
Tree #696 - 58.5” live oak species.
With this request, the 25.5” red oak tree is proposed for removal because it is located within the portion of the site that is proposed for industrial development including building footprint, drive aisle, parking lot, and/or fire lane. Red oak species achieve monarch designation when they reach a size of 21” DBH (diameter at breast height) and it appears that this tree was planted as part of the previous development of the site. In contrast, the 58.5” live oak was existing and preserved at time of the previous development. In accordance with Section 8-18 of the Code of Ordinances, removal of a monarch tree requires City Council to first remove the monarch designation from the tree. The developer intends to preserve the remaining 58.5” monarch tree by providing tree protection in compliance with the City’s tree protection requirements.
It is the purpose of the Code to preserve and incorporate the city's oldest growth trees into development projects. Planning and Development Services staff have a well-established record of working with developers in designing around these unique, uncommon trees while exercising flexibility to ensure development goals are met. This site is zoned for LI (Light Industrial) and is designated as industrial on the future land use map of the 2030 Round Rock Comprehensive Plan. The developer has submitted various iterations of their industrial development concept to staff and has taken staff recommendation to preserve the 58.5” live oak monarch tree, even as doing so will prevent maximizing potential development for this project.
While staff supports industrial development on this site, based on the light industrial zoning and the 2030 Round Rock Comprehensive Plan, it is critical to note that a conflict between the proposed use and preservation of the old growth monarch trees is clear. Significant large trees and their extensive root systems serve as a conflict point to industrial development, both in site design and future function. Industrial projects typically consist of large, linear rectangular buildings that require substantial loading zones and ease of maneuverability for semi-trucks. These are conditions that are not compatible with large trees. This situation can be taken in contrast to residential and commercial projects where large trees not only function better as part of those built environments, but also serve as prominent features.
Staff is supportive of this specific request as it preserves the largest and oldest monarch onsite. In addition, the proposed use of this site is compliant with the Comprehensive Plan and the project furthers the City's economic development goals. All monarch tree removal requests are reviewed on a case by case basis. Staff support on one request does not indicate support for another. Staff recommendations are determined based on the context, conditions, land use, site constraints, and good-faith effort made to preserve as many monarchs as feasible. All the while realizing that reasonable development of a subject site must be facilitated along with tree preservation.