Decatur planning commission backs tree-survey waiver and PD changes at Nature Creek Reserve

The City of Decatur Planning and Zoning Commission on a May meeting recommended approval of multiple applications for the Nature Creek Reserve development, a proposed planned development of just over 200 acres at 1800 North U.S. Highway 287.

Staff presented and recommended approval of a waiver to the subdivision tree-survey requirement that would allow the developer to survey six 4-acre sample plots instead of the entire site. The developer’s representatives told commissioners steep grades and a roughly 100-foot fall across the property mean most trees in buildable areas will be removed during grading and retaining-wall construction.

Lisa Hannon, Planning Director, said the waiver request is made under the subdivision ordinance’s waiver process and that staff believes sampling the six heavily wooded squares will “give us a good idea of what is in that area.” Hannon noted the development is proposed as a planned development with 694 single-family lots and that, under the PD standards, each lot will receive a minimum of two planted trees.

Developer Kyle Gill, speaking from Fort Worth, said the grading plan will require lowering parts of the site and constructing “probably a 10, 12 foot retaining wall that runs along the railroad track because we have to lower the site. So in order to do that, obviously, the trees have to go.” Engineer Jim Welch (Welch Engineering) described the site’s steep profiles and said the team will try to preserve creek-side and entry trees but that “the overall majority of the trees will have to be cut… in order to grade this site properly.”

Commissioners asked about how many trees would be removed and how replacement plantings are counted. Hannon said the PD requires one shade tree and one ornamental tree in front yards for certain lot widths and that the required shade tree shall be a minimum of 3-inch caliper measured 6 inches above ground. Commissioners noted the developer proposes two trees per lot, which would require planting roughly 1,388 trees (2 × 694) across the development.

The commission voted to recommend approval of the waiver request (motion by Commissioner Will Clossey; second Mason Woodruff; motion carries). The commission also recommended approval of a planned-development amendment that adds garage square footage into the calculation of minimum building area, with a motion that included a clarification requiring a minimum of 1,000 square feet of living area per dwelling (motion by Commissioner Mason Woodruff; second Shelby Hicks; motion carries).

Finally, the commission conditionally approved the preliminary plat for Nature Creek Reserve, subject to 15 engineering and plan-review conditions (motions to recommend approval carried; staff will require the listed conditions to be met before final plat and civil plan approvals).

Why it matters: The project would add 694 single-family lots and substantially alter wooded acreage along the creek and between the railroad and Business 287. The commission’s action advances the development to city council with specific conditions and clarifications intended to protect drainage and infrastructure while accommodating the developer’s grading plan.

The developer and engineering team were present to answer questions. Staff noted 49 property owners were notified about the Nature Creek applications and that no responses had been received as of the meeting. The items now move to city council for final action.