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Council approves tree removal permit for 178‑lot Homestead at Liberty Grove phase
Summary
The council approved a tree removal permit for a roughly 41.9-acre subdivision (Trails of Cottonwood Creek master plan, phase 1 of 5). Staff said 226 protected trees are on site and 69 will be removed; the applicant proposed no new plantings but qualifies for saved‑tree credit and owes no mitigation fee; approval was unanimous.
The Rowlett City Council on May 20 approved a tree removal permit for a 41.871-acre development that will create 178 residential lots and 14 public open-space areas as part of the Trails of Cottonwood Creek master plan (phase 1 of 5).
City planning staff told the council the site contains approximately 226 protected trees; the applicant proposes removing 69. Under the city's tree mitigation code the developer is not proposing new plantings but qualifies for credit based on trees being saved elsewhere on the site; staff said the credit calculation resulted in no mitigation fee. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval unanimously. Councilmember Shoop commended the developer for intentionally saving trees and moved to approve the permit; Councilmember Reeves seconded and the motion passed 6-0.
The applicant, represented in the public packet by LJA Engineering, presented the tree mitigation calculations and noted the preliminary plat was approved in July 2024 and a site development plan had recently been approved. The council's approval allows the development to proceed under the terms shown in the permit application subject to code compliance and any development conditions.
Speakers on this item included city planning staff and Councilmembers who took part in the motion and vote.
