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Commission approves tree removal permit for Trails at Cottonwood Creek phase
Summary
The commission approved a permit to remove 69 protected trees and preserve 157 on a 41.87‑acre phase of the Trails at Cottonwood Creek development; staff said no mitigation fee is required under the applicant’s mitigation plan.
The Rowlett Planning and Zoning Commission voted 6‑0 to approve a tree removal permit for a roughly 41.871‑acre phase of the Trails at Cottonwood Creek development on Tuesday, May 13.
City staff presented a tree‑preservation plan for the phase, which would create 78 residential lots, 14 public open‑space areas and required infrastructure. The application was filed by Mickey Garner of LJA Engineering on behalf of property owner Steven L. Solomon.
Staff said the site contains about 226 protected trees, of which 69 are proposed for removal and approximately 157 are planned to be saved. The preserved trees are credited to the applicant’s mitigation calculation, and staff reported there is no mitigation fee required under the plan.
Mickey Garner, the applicant’s engineer, said the plan preserves mature trees along the park and trails and saves trees adjacent to several lots to create buffers. "We're proposing to preserve all of those in addition to preserving some additional trees around the trails," Garner said.
Commissioner Hernandez made the motion to approve the tree‑removal permit; Miss Williams seconded and the commission voted 6‑0 to approve. Commissioner Pollard requested a stronger practice going forward of leaving trees in place on lots until a building footprint is finalized, but he said he was satisfied with the grading rationale presented for this request.
The approval allows the developer to proceed with the planned clearing necessary for infrastructure and lot grading as outlined in the approved site plan. Staff said the related preliminary plat was approved in July of the prior year and a site development plan was under final review at the time of the hearing.
