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Council passes stronger tree ordinance
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| More information |
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| 2010 Tree Preservation Ordinance (final adopted version) |
| CoSA web page on amendments |
| E-N story: Stricter tree ordinance receives OK |
After 11 months of meetings, debate, and controversy, San Antonio' City Council voted May 6, 2010 for a stronger tree preservation ordinance. The new rules will increase fees for destruction of heritage trees, reduce the maximum number of trees that can be removed, and require additional tree planting on non-residential sites.
Unfortunately, the effect of these changes will be delayed. Council chose to create a 3½ week grace period allowing developers to file plans that are exempt from the new rules. In addition, school boards have until January, 2011 to approve new schools that are exempt from the ordinance. All facilities in Northside ISDs recent $535 million bond package and South San ISD’s $58 million bond package, are exempt from the new ordinance.
Contact your Council representative today and thank them for their vote to protect our air, water, beauty, and trees.
| San Antonio City Council | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| District | Representative | Phone | |
| Mayor | Julián Castro | 207-7060 | MayorJulianCastro@sanantonio.gov |
| 1 | Mary Alice P. Cisneros | 207-7279 | district1@sanantonio.gov |
| 2 | Ivy R. Taylor | 207-7278 | Ivy.Taylor@sanantonio.gov |
| 3 | Jennifer V. Ramos | 207-7064 | Jennifer.V.Ramos@sanantonio.gov |
| 4 | Philip A. Cortez | 207-7281 | district4@sanantonio.gov |
| 5 | David Medina, Jr. | 207-7043 | district5@sanantonio.gov |
| 6 | Ray Lopez | 207-7065 | Ray.Lopez@sanantonio.gov |
| 7 | Justin Rodriguez | 207-7044 | district7@sanantonio.gov |
| 8 | W. Reed Williams | 207-7086 | Reed.Williams@sanantonio.gov |
| 9 | Elisa Chan | 207-7325 | district9@sanantonio.gov |
| 10 | John G. Clamp | 207-7276 | John.Clamp@sanantonio.gov |
Major new provisions can be broken down into two main categories: preservation of existing trees and planting of new trees.
Within the preservation category, the major new provisions are:
In the tree planting category, the main improvement is the post-development tree canopy cover requirement. Regardless of what was on the land before development commenced, developers must have a certain portion of their land shaded when the project is finished.
Requirements are met through preserving existing trees, planting 1½” caliper trees or by paying a fee. Newly-planted trees are credited as if they were fully grown (but discounted by 10% to compensate for mortality).
The post-development canopy requirements are:
In general, all trees with trunks smaller than 6" diameter (oaks, pecans, etc) or 10" diameter (hackberries, mesquites, etc.) may be destroyed. They are not considered "significant".
No more than 10% of trees in floodplains or environmentally-sensitive areas may be destroyed. Developers are not permitted to pay mitigation fees in lieu of preserving the required number of trees.
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