Burleson considering tree preservation ordinance

by PegNews wire

Large canopied tree-lined streets and the preservation of environmentally sensitive areas (floodways, floodplains and heavily treed areas) ... that’s the goal of the proposed tree preservation ordinance presented to Burleson City Council members July 20.

The ordinance passed on first reading with two conditions: that all property owners in the environmentally sensitive areas be notified prior to the second reading of the ordinance, and that the members of the tree preservation committee that molded the proposed tree preservation ordinance meet before the second reading in order to look at what was presented on July 20.

The ordinance, which could go before council for a second reading as early as Aug. 17, creates two zones in the city – an environmentally sensitive area (22.5 percent of the city) and the area outside of the environmentally sensitive areas.

In the environmentally sensitive area, property owners are encouraged to practice tree preservation and discouraged from developing in sensitive areas (within the FEMA-designated 100-year floodplain and floodway, in areas with dense tree cover, and along selected parks trails).

In 77.5% of the city that is outside those environmentally sensitive areas, the goal is to create tree-lined streets by requiring new developments to plant large canopied trees every 30 feet along public and private streets.

For more information about the proposed ordinance, go to here (PDF).

Source: City of Burleson