Planning Commission OKs variance to tree preservation requirements

The San Antonio Planning Commission on Feb. 26 approved a variance to the city's tree preservation standards after staff said a recent inspection found additional trees that were dead or dying.

The vote removes the requirement that would have preserved a higher percentage of significant trees within the 100-year floodplain and environmentally sensitive areas, allowing the project to exceed mitigation requirements, staff said.

Planner Mark (staff member) introduced the request, citing the Unified Development Code and the city's tree preservation provisions. He told the commission that a prior revision to the tree plan required removal of additional large significant trees because the trees were "dead, dying, and decline," and that staff recommended approval because the project would exceed mitigation requirements.

Commission discussion was brief: when asked if the applicant needed to speak, the project representative did not offer additional comments. Commissioner Siegel moved to approve the applicant's request; Commissioner Prophet seconded. The commission recorded unanimous support from those present and the motion passed.

The action amends the tree preservation treatment for the specific project referenced in the staff report; staff noted the approval was tied to the project's mitigation plan. No public comment was recorded on the item in the transcript.

Planning staff identified the governing code provision cited during the presentation as the Unified Development Code, Article 5, Section 5.35.523(h) regarding preservation rates within the 100-year floodplain and environmentally sensitive areas. The commission did not attach additional conditions in the public record captured by the transcript.

The commission moved on to other agenda items after the vote.