Title
Consider a resolution removing the monarch designation for two trees on the site of the proposed Reserve at Wyoming Springs single-family subdivision, located west of Wyoming Springs Drive and south of Park Valley Drive.
Body
This request, submitted by Cunningham|Allen, Inc. on behalf of developer CalAtlantic Homes (Lennar), will remove the monarch designation from two trees on the site of a proposed 77-lot single-family subdivision. There are a total of nine (9) monarch trees on the site, seven (7) of which will not be impacted. In accordance with Sec. 43-23 of the Code of Ordinances, removal of a monarch tree requires City Council to first remove the monarch designation from those trees. All monarchs are listed below, and the two proposed for removal are noted with "R":
#134 - 36" live oak
#301 - 50" live oak
#403 - 29" post oak - R
#456 - 39" live oak - R
#478 - 37" live oak
#906 - 38" live oak
#5141 - 36" live oak
#5147 - 25" cedar elm
#5158 - 25" cedar elm
Note: measurements are the diameter of the trunk at four and a half feet above ground level.
Tree #403 is located within proposed right-of-way and will have to be physically removed. Tree #456 is located on a future residential lot. This tree is not intended for physical removal by the developer, but the driveway will have to be constructed through the critical root zone, necessitating the request for removal of the monarch designation. The developer has stated a desire to preserve the tree as it will add value to the lot. Two other monarch trees are located on future residential lots, but sufficient room exists for the entire critical root zone to remain untouched. The overall site of this planned subdivision is significantly constrained by several karst features and their associated development buffers as per State Law; a large drainage swale which bisects the site; a required connection to a collector road (Liberty Walk) in the Brushy Creek neighborhood to the west; and the aforementioned monarch trees in addition to numerous other protected trees of various sizes slated for preservation.
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. In this case the developer has worked diligently with staff to navigate the various constraints and requirements and has managed to preserve the oldest and largest trees on-site. Staff does not oppose the removal of the two monarchs identified above.