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Kerrville council approves tree-preservation ordinance on first reading with small-lot exemption
Summary
On first reading the council approved Ordinance 2025-01 to add a tree-preservation article to the city code, with an exemption for unplatted lots of one acre or less proposed by Council Member Hughes; the ordinance passed 4-1.
The Kerrville City Council approved on first reading Ordinance 2025-01 on Jan. 14, adding a tree-preservation article to Chapter 46 of the city code and establishing penalties of up to $2,000, with a council amendment exempting unplatted lots of one acre or less.
City planning staff presented the ordinance after a workshop discussion. Mr. Paxton, a city staff member, said the item had been discussed during the workshop and could be edited between first and second reading. Council Member Hughes recommended an exemption for "unplatted lots that are an acre or less, because those are traditionally residential home sites," and said homeowners should be able to develop their property subject to that limit. "If we could exclude the lots that are 1 acre or less, then I would feel a lot better about the ordinance," Hughes said.
Council members debated edge cases such as small commercial lots and how replats might affect grandfathered status. City staff cautioned that owners could complete grading and site work before replatting, which would reduce the ordinance’s effect in some scenarios; staff said the city could amend the ordinance later if that loophole proved problematic. One council member said they support trees in general but questioned whether the city needed a regulatory ordinance for a community that already has substantial tree cover; that member voted against the measure.
A motion to approve Ordinance 2025-01 on first reading including the Hughes exemption carried 4-1. Council directed staff to provide the revised ordinance text in advance of the second reading so members could review the updated language.
The ordinance would adopt tree-protection regulations into the city code and set enforcement penalties; staff and councilors indicated additional technical edits may be made before second reading.
