Council tables Trinity Park tree‑removal permit after members seek changes to preserve specimen oaks

The Flower Mound Town Council on April 21 tabled consideration of a tree‑removal permit for the Trinity Park parcel—part of the Lakeside Ranch Business Park—after councilmembers urged further study and potential redesign to preserve a large specimen post oak.

Planning staff reported the 3.9‑acre site contained four specimen trees and that the applicant requested removal of three; staff’s tally showed roughly 224 protected trees proposed for removal versus 18 retained on the overall property plan. ECC recommended approval for the three proposed specimen removals on March 4. Staff briefed council that mitigation totals for the site—if the removals were approved—would be $159,600.

Council concerns: Several councilmembers pressed the applicant and staff about whether the requested access and grading were necessary and asked whether the site plan could be altered to save the large post oak (tree 3953, measured at roughly 39.5 inches DBH). Councilmember Schistel said the schematic preservation shown in the PD did not have codified development standards that would automatically protect the corner trees and urged the applicant to revisit the design. One councilmember asked whether the eastern connection that bisected the preservation area was required; staff said the connection was platted as a cross‑access easement and that replatting or an exception might be needed if the connection were removed.

Applicant response: The applicant’s engineer said the current site plan follows an original master plan for Lakeside Ranch Business Park and noted constraints of grading and stormwater design. The applicant’s representative said detention and drainage requirements led to the current layout and that underground detention and oversized conveyance were part of the solution.

Why it matters: The property sits within an area identified in the plan development (PD) materials as part of a larger Subdistrict C‑1 preservation corridor. Councilmembers said the PD’s schematic depiction of a preservation area set expectations that significant trees would be preserved; some members urged the applicant to attempt design changes to maintain the large post oak.

Outcome and next steps: Council voted to table the permit and asked staff to coordinate with fire and engineering to confirm whether the eastern access connection is required; if feasible, staff and the applicant should pursue alternatives that preserve specimen tree 3953. The applicant will need to confirm whether it can replat or seek exceptions; staff said P&Z review of the site plan is pending.