DEPARTMENT: Development Services
SUBJECT: TPV 17-018 Tree Preservation Variance for Creekside Court (P.U.D.)
SUMMARY:
Request by Mr. Rick Gray, P.E., for approval of a tree preservation variance request from Unified Development Code 35-523 (h), "significant trees shall be preserved at eighty (80) percent and heritage trees at one hundred (100) percent preservation within both the 100-year floodplains and environmentally sensitive areas." Staff recommends approval. (Herminio Griego, (210) 207-6042, herminio.griego@sanantonio.gov, Development Services Department)
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Project A/P# 2233031
Council District: 1
Consultant: Rick Gray, P.E. of KFW Engineers
Staff Coordinator: Herminio Griego, Assistant City Arborist, (210) 207-6042
ANALYSIS:
The Development Services Department (DSD) has reviewed the information presented in Mr. Rick Gray's letter dated August 10, 2017.
The Unified Development Code (UDC) - Article V, Section 35-523 (h), 100-Year Floodplain(s) and Environmentally Sensitive Areas states that, "Significant trees shall be preserved at eighty (80) percent preservation within both the 100-year floodplains and environmentally sensitive areas. Heritage trees shall be preserved at one hundred (100) percent preservation within both the 100-year floodplain and environmentally sensitive areas. Mitigation shall be prohibited in floodplains and environmentally sensitive area except when a variance is granted by the Planning Commission."
The applicant is requesting a Variance Request to mitigate for removal of significant trees in excess of the 80% significant tree requirement of protected trees within the environmentally sensitive area in place under the 2015 Tree Preservation Ordinance for construction of Creekside Court P.U.D. DSD staff does agree with the applicant's request to mitigate for significant below 80% preservation for the following reasons:
1. Existing site conditions - Due to existing site conditions, design and layout cons...
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