Agenda Information Sheet
DEPARTMENT: Solid Waste & Recycling
CM/ ACM: Jon Fortune
Date: March 30, 2017
SUBJECT
Title
Receive a report, hold a discussion, and give staff direction regarding the acquisition of property for the purpose of tree preservation.
Body
BACKGROUND
The intent of this work session discussion is to present the City Council with a set of evaluation criteria for identifying real estate property in Denton for the purpose of tree preservation. In response to requests from residents and City Council, a team of staff members from Parks & Recreation, Development Services, Legal/Real Estate, and Keep Denton Beautiful has been assembled to develop a system for evaluating forested properties for preservation. The staff team incorporated Tree Fund Expenditure Criteria from the Denton Development Code (DDC 35.13.7.7.e.i) and data from the City's recently completed Urban Tree Assessment (a.k.a. the "State of the Denton Urban Forest" report) to develop a comprehensive criteria and evaluation system. The system considers factors such as total tree canopy cover; relative location to Denton's Eastern Cross Timbers eco-region (meaning a property would be more likely to have quality heritage trees, such as Post Oaks); potential for public use and park/trail connectivity; current zoning; and alignment with utility and mobility plans.
Using the "State of the Denton Urban Forest" results, staff have identified a series of properties in Denton with 50% or greater tree canopy cover. Properties were narrowed to a short list of options based on adherence to the criteria, and subsequently scored by the staff team using the property score sheet (Exhibit 2). The list of properties and evaluation results will be presented to Council under a separate agenda item.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (Council, Boards, Commissions)
December 6, 2016 - Denton City Council Work Session
October 15, 2013 - Denton City Council Work Session
February 5, 2013 - Denton City Council Work Sess...
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