Council tables tree ordinance amendments

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

In a surprise reversal, City Council voted to table, indefinitely, amendments to the tree preservation ordinance. The amendments, requested by Christopher “Chip” Haass, were intended to put an end to clear-cutting of sites before development permits are applied for. But Richard Perez, who made the motion to table, said the amendments need more study.

Secret Perez amendments are also dead, for now

Today’s Council action also killed amendments that Perez, according to rumors, was set to introduce. Perez's amendments ostensibly targeted certain native tree species the Councilman believed should enjoy less preservation. An Express-News story, published in advance of the meeting, stated: “Council members privately said they expect outgoing District 4 Councilman Richard Perez to try to amend the ordinance once the debate begins. The story quoted Mayor Hardberger as saying ‘this (tree ordinance changes) is not a good idea’.”

Incoming Council may revisit the issue

Some Council members indicated the amendments may be taken up by the incoming Council. Because the Express-News noted that “there's a good chance the newly elected council will be more developer-friendly than the last”, today’s Council action may prove to be a blow to tree preservation efforts.

Gutierrez wants more grandfathering for South side developers

Councilman Roland Gutierrez, who consistently votes in favor of developers in grandfathering cases, noted that a lack of vested rights is a "problem" for San Antonio’s South side. Gutierrez believes the tree ordinance is stifling development in his district. He believes that most developers there bought their land after the tree ordinance took effect in 1997 and consequently are not grandfathered out of the ordinance.

However, Councilman Art Hall replied that San Antonio and Austin, Texas cities with the strongest environmental protections, are also the hottest real estate markets in the state. Nonetheless, Gutierrez implied that more grandfathering from the tree ordinance is needed to spur south side development. He also called for a study by the City Forester into the unique forestation on the South side with an eye to, perhaps, lowering tree preservation standards.

See City to change tree ordinance, again for additional information.