Commission approves preliminary plat for Magnolia Village, accepts tree mitigation plan

The Highlands City Planning and Zoning Commission on a unanimous vote approved the preliminary plat for Magnolia Village, a proposed 4.364-plus-acre subdivision at 102 Barnett Boulevard, and accepted a tree mitigation plan that requires two magnolia trees be planted in the front yard of each new home before certificate of occupancy.

Autumn Amon, community development coordinator, told commissioners the preliminary plat shows property boundaries, easements, the proposed layout of streets and utilities, and lot sizes and that the application will return at final plat stage. "This preliminary plat basically shows the overall expression of the property, showing the property boundaries, easements, your layout of streets, utilities, and lot sizes," Amon said.

The plan calls for 25 residential lots intended for patio homes, sidewalks inside the development and along Barnett Boulevard, and street names determined at this stage. Amon said the subdivision plan and the accompanying preliminary tree mitigation plan were reviewed by city staff and city engineers for compliance with the planned development (PD) ordinance and the city subdivision regulations. "Based on our review, we're in the opinion tonight that the application does comply with the city subdivision ordinance and PD ordinance that regulates this piece of property," she said.

Amon described the tree inventory and mitigation: 147 trees were counted on the site; 112 are proposed for removal because they lie within right-of-way easements, building pads, close to foundations, or in areas that will require grading or retaining walls, leaving 35 existing trees to remain. The builder is required to plant two magnolia trees in the front yard of every house prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy; Amon said that planting would result in a total of 85 trees on the property. "The tree mitigation plan ... proposed to be removed are either within the right of way easements, building pads, close proximity to the building foundation, or due to grading and retaining walls that ... will have to be built," she said.

Commissioners asked about house footprints and tree placement. One commissioner estimated footprints at about 1,600 to 1,800 square feet; a project representative confirmed that figure as a typical single-story footprint, adding some units would be two-story with larger square footage. Commissioners also discussed avoiding placement of the required magnolias in public utility easements. Amon confirmed the PD ordinance requires the two magnolias in front yards and that homeowners could not modify that requirement under the ordinance as presented.

Scott Christian, director of public works, confirmed the street cross-section and emergency access met city standards. "The paving section that we're reviewing is 30 foot back to back. So, yes, it's a standard street. We're good," he said.

Because the item was not a public hearing, staff did not send the 200-foot notice for neighbors; Amon confirmed a public hearing was not required for the preliminary plat. The commission made a motion to accept the plat as presented, including the tree mitigation plan; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously. The transcript records Alternate Scott Campbell voting in place of the absent commissioner Kevin McMahon.

Commissioners were also given a status update on future Planning & Zoning meetings. Amon noted a change required by new Texas House Bill 1522 taking effect Sept. 1: agendas must be posted three business days prior to meetings rather than the previously practiced 72-hour timeline, which will shift packet delivery to the Wednesday before meetings when holidays do not intervene.

Details recorded in the meeting packet include: the preliminary plat for Magnolia Village (generally located at 102 Barnett Boulevard, Barnett Subdivision, tract described from Fred Hyatt Survey abstract 559, part of Tract 4), a preliminary tree mitigation plan, and street names. The item will return at final plat review.

Votes at a glance: the commission voted to approve the Magnolia Village preliminary plat, including the tree mitigation requirements; the vote carried unanimously with the alternate (Scott Campbell) voting for the absent commissioner (Kevin McMahon).