Decatur council approves limited tree‑survey waiver and advances Nature Creek Reserve development

The City of Decatur Council approved a waiver on May 20 allowing the developer of Nature Creek Reserve to survey six 4‑acre sample lots instead of a full tree survey across the entire 200‑plus‑acre site, gave first reading to amendments to the subdivision's planned development ordinance and granted conditional approval to the project's preliminary plat subject to engineering and drainage conditions.

Planning Director Lisa Hannon told the council the subdivision ordinance generally requires a tree survey with preliminary and final plats and clearing permits to determine protected trees and mitigation. The applicant asked to limit the survey to six 4‑acre plots (24 acres) that staff and the developer identified as the most heavily wooded portions of the site instead of surveying the full property.

The waiver, filed as Waiver 25‑0001, was presented with staff'recommended mitigation steps and a commitment that each residential lot will receive a minimum of two replacement trees before certificate…