Commission declines to count off-site crepe myrtles toward Industry Park Phase 2 tree requirement

The Planning and Zoning Commission on Oct. 9 voted not to accept six crepe myrtles planted in an adjacent median as satisfying six of the nine trees the Industry Park Phase 2 developer was required to install.

Staff presented the request and noted that at a June meeting the commission had waived some buffer-tree requirements but retained a condition that the owner plant six additional trees. The owner asked that six of nine crepe myrtles planted in a median at the development entrance be credited toward that requirement.

Commissioners split on the request. Commissioner Mann said the planted trees are visible and argued for flexibility because the trees are already in place. Commissioner Rasher and others said they preferred trees be planted on the owner’s property — specifically on the east side near the aerial easement or where they would be more prominent when entering Friendswood — and expressed reluctance to accept trees that they said were effectively on a separate property or too close to utilities. Commissioner Conrad noted concerns about utility and gas-line proximity that had been described in staff correspondence.

A motion to approve counting six of the nine crepe myrtles for the tree requirement failed on a 2–3 vote. The commission’s decision means the developer must provide the trees in locations acceptable to staff and the commission or otherwise meet the prior condition to plant additional trees on the development property.

Commissioners said they would accept trees placed where they better satisfy the city’s landscaping intent and visibility goals; staff will return with the site-plan revision showing relocated or additional trees for the commission’s approval.