Title
Consider a resolution removing the monarch designation for a tree located on a proposed development site at 611 Spring Street.
Body
This request, submitted by property owner Mr. William Templeton, will remove the monarch designation from a tree located on a development lot proposed for a single-family detached home. The monarch tree is a 40-inch pecan tree and it is located in the center of the lot; measurements of the tree are taken of the diameter of the trunk at four and a half feet above ground level. In accordance with Sec. 8-18 of the Code of Ordinances, removal of a monarch tree requires City Council to first remove the monarch designation from those trees.
The applicant states their lot is significantly constrained by the critical root zone of the tree, ultimately occupying a significant portion of developable area within the center of the property. Additionally, overhead power lines at the front of the property require the proposed home to be set back about 15 feet into the property, which is greater than the maximum 10-foot setback mandated by the MU-2 zoning district. It is the purpose of the Code to preserve and incorporate the City's oldest growth trees into development projects. City Staff has a well established record of working with developers/home owners in designing around these unique, uncommon trees while exercising flexibility to ensure development goals are met. In this case, while the MU-2 zoning regulations allow greater lot utilization than a typical single-family property, the applicant is unable to fully take advantage of those development standards to build their home.
All things considered, staff does not oppose this specific request as the location of the monarch tree significantly constrains the lot. The proposed use of this site is in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan and the project furthers the City's housing development goals. All monarch tree removal requests are reviewed on a case by case basis. Staff support ...
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