#2-Landscaping and Tree Preservation IssuesCity of Southlake
Department of Planning
Landscaping and Tree Preservation Issues
S T A F F R E P O R T
October 12, 2004
TO: Planning and Zoning Commission
FROM: Malcolm Jackson, Director of Community Services
SUBJECT: Discussion of Median Landscaping and Tree Preservation Ordinance Provisions
___________________________________________________________________________
Action Requested: Planning and Zoning Commission discussion and feedback concerning the landscaping
of public areas, such as roadway medians and rights-of-way, and planned updates to
the current Tree Preservation Ordinance.
Background
Information: Over the years, the Community Services Department has been intimately involved in
the development of landscaped areas in public places in Southlake. Some of the typical
areas include public parks, trail corridors, medians in certain roadways, and the rights-
of-way adjacent to the roadways. More often than not, staff from the department is
involved from the beginning planning stages through post-construction maintenance,
now typically in conjunction with Public Works.
As the elected and appointed officials prepare to adopt significant portions of the
Southlake 2025 long range plan, especially the current corridor sectors that involve
land use and transportation, our staff appreciates the opportunity to share with the
Commission and others our experiences with the landscaping aspect for these
corridors. As the 2025 plan will be called upon many times in the future to offer
guides for development of the corridors, it is important to weigh all the landscaping
possibilities and arrive at feasible standards. The first part of the presentation will be
information to use as the Commission considers the corridor sectors of the 2025 plan.
The second portion of the presentation is somewhat related and is an overview of the
existing Tree Preservation Ordinance, areas identified in the ordinance for
improvement, and suggested changes. As the Planning and Zoning Commission acts in
an official capacity as the appeals board set out in the ordinance language, it is
imperative that staff receive feedback on the proposed changes. Those changes will be
summarized in the second part of the presentation. Staff will then be available for any
questions.
Landscaping and Tree Preservation Issues
Financial
Considerations: N/A.
Financial Impact: N/A.
Citizen Input/
Board Review: There have been no prior public meetings on the current topics above.
Legal Review: The City Attorney has discussed some changes with staff and continues to review the
provisions and work with staff on requested changes.
Alternatives: Recommendation as otherwise presented.
Supporting
Documents: None. All materials will be presented by staff at the meeting.
Staff
Recommendation: Planning and Zoning Commission discussion and feedback concerning the landscaping
of public areas, such as roadway medians and rights-of-way, and planned updates to
the current Tree Preservation Ordinance.