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Manvel council adopts updated permit fee schedule, adds tree‑removal permit; amends burn permit rules
Summary
Council amended the city fee schedule and adopted a new tree‑removal permit fee after lengthy debate about enforcement and deterrence; the council struck an obsolete residential burn entry, raised burn permit amounts and approved adoption to allow staff to implement new procedures.
Manvel city council approved an amended municipal fee schedule Monday that adds a tree‑removal permit fee, updates burn permit rules and consolidates several building and fire‑safety fees.
What the council approved: Resolution 2025‑R‑11 (fee schedule) was amended on the floor to remove an outdated line for a residential burn permit that referenced a $15 fee. After that amendment council unanimously adopted the revised fee schedule. The new schedule adds a tree‑removal permit at $50 per protected tree up to a $750 maximum (staff said the cap is intended to limit administrative review costs), increases single burn permit fees and sets a $400 fee for a prescribed‑burn review/inspection. Council also approved related building/fire permit clarifications.
Why it matters: The city recently adopted a tree‑preservation ordinance that requires permits for removal of certain "protected" trees; the fee schedule creates a dedicated application fee and inspection process. Council debated how a fee should balance administrative cost recovery and deterrence against tree removal — several council members said they want stronger incentives against cutting specimen trees and asked staff to revisit the fee structure and whether a replacement or mitigation fund should be established in the ordinance.
Discussion highlights: Fire Marshal Sean (staff) walked council through simplified permit language and a move away from plan‑review percentage calculations to flat fees for clarity. The council asked about new prescribed‑burn fees, which Fire staff said are based on peer‑city comparisons and added to cover plan review and inspections; staff told council the city had not recently processed many prescribed burns and that $400 is intended to cover TCEQ‑level review and staff time. The council voted to amend and then adopt the resolution unanimously.
Council next steps: Several council members asked staff to return with additional options: (1) alternate fee structures tied to tree size or to staff review time, (2) language or an ordinance mechanism that would require developers who remove protected trees to contribute to a municipal tree fund, and (3) administrative procedures for photographic documentation and enforcement. Staff agreed to reconvene the tree‑ordinance working group and to bring recommended changes back to council.
Ending: The adopted fee schedule takes effect immediately; staff will finalize administrative procedures for permitting and return with any proposed ordinance amendments for council to consider later this year.
