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Council approves UDC changes to strengthen tree preservation and mitigation
Summary
The Arlington City Council approved a Unified Development Code amendment revising tree preservation incentives, defining heritage and significant stands, and raising penalties for unauthorized removal; supporters cited protection of the Cross Timbers and long review by staff and community groups.
The Arlington City Council on first reading approved revisions to the Unified Development Code (UDC) that change how the city awards development incentive points for preserved trees, add definitions for ‘‘heritage’’ and ‘‘enhanced significant’’ tree stands, and raise penalties for unauthorized removal.
John Chapman, Long Range Planning Manager with Planning and Development Services, said the revisions respond to analysis identifying a net loss in canopy after the prior bonus structure and aim to preserve the Cross Timbers oaks while still offering development incentives. “There’s a lot of, from my understanding, support on what we are considering this evening,” Chapman told council members.
The amendment reduces the bonus credit for preserved Cross Timbers oaks to 1.5 points per caliper inch and for…
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