Commission approves removal of 12 significant trees for Kaufman Loop commercial site; applicant to pay fee in lieu
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Summary
The commission approved tree removal case TRP-25-0040 to remove 12 significant trees for commercial development at 675 Kaufman Loop; staff said none are heritage trees and applicant will pay a fee in lieu for protected-size removals.
The Leander Planning and Zoning Commission voted to approve tree removal case TRP-25-0040, authorizing the removal of 12 significant trees associated with the commercial portion of a development at 675 Kaufman Loop.
Planning staff member Mikayla Lynn told commissioners the property, which totals roughly 25.78 acres, is zoned as a PUD with a GC-2A base zoning in front and SFT-2A in the rear. The removal request covers trees impacted by public-improvement work such as waterline construction, sidewalks, a shared access driveway and a detention pond. Staff said no heritage trees are proposed for removal and that the applicant would preserve approximately 78% of the remaining trees on site.
Lynn described the applicant's mitigation proposal in detail. The report lists removal of trees sized 8–18 caliper inches totaling 167.5 caliper inches (about 8% of total coverage) and removal of trees sized 18–26 caliper inches totaling 272.25 caliper inches (about 13% of total coverage). Because the 8–18 caliper-inch removals are under the 50% threshold, no mitigation is required for that group; the applicant has elected a fee-in-lieu approach for the 18–26 caliper-inch trees. Lynn said payment of the fee will be required before issuance of the site-development permit.
An applicant representative responded to a commissioner question about trees near the detention pond, saying an arborist report (to be provided) indicated one of the live oaks in that area is likely failing. The representative said, "It is clearly, failing. It's got barked, it's scribe, and, things like that. So it's it's got a hollow piece to it as well." The representative said the detention pond configuration cannot be changed to preserve that tree.
Commissioners asked a few clarifying questions about the pond and tree locations; no public commenters spoke on the item. Commissioner Lewis moved to approve the tree removal request; the motion was seconded by the vice chair. The chair called for the vote, asked "All those in favor?" and the motion passed.
Staff noted the fee-in-lieu must be paid as part of the site-development project before the site-development permit will be issued.