Commission approves Burleson Tract tree‑removal request and preliminary plat for 554‑lot subdivision

The Leander Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to approve the tree‑removal requests associated with the Burleson Tract preliminary plat and to allow staff to proceed toward preliminary‑plat approval, subject to the usual council review for heritage trees.

Justin Hunt, planning department staff, said the request is the second step in the subdivision process and the first step in the tree‑removal review. The project covers approximately 289 acres southeast of the Ronald Reagan Boulevard and Journey Parkway intersection in Williamson County. The preliminary plat includes nine commercial lots and 554 residential lots, to be developed in four phases.

Hunt told the commission the application proposes removal of heritage trees and significant trees while preserving a majority of on‑site trees. He reported that, in the presenter’s summary, the project would remove 36 heritage trees totaling 1,244.5 caliper inches and would preserve 74.3% of heritage‑tree caliper (3,698.5 caliper inches preserved). He also summarized that 88 significant trees were proposed for removal totaling 4,290 caliper inches and that the project would preserve 69% of significant trees (9,570 caliper inches total preserved). On a later slide the presenter listed a site total of 55 heritage trees, with 35 removed and 19 saved (the presenter’s slide and spoken counts vary slightly); significant trees were described as 669 total, with 31% (188 trees) removed and 69% (481 trees) saved. The planning staff said most removals are attributed to public‑utility easements, rights‑of‑way or grading needs.

Applicant representative John Bonin said the project team has worked with staff since the zoning approval and that they had adjusted the design to work around existing trees where possible.

Commission discussion was broadly supportive of the preservation percentages; several commissioners encouraged saving any additional trees where feasible. Commissioner Rauce moved to approve; Vice Chair Colomba seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

The record shows commission review as required by Article 6, Section 1(c)(5) of the composite zoning ordinance for trees over specified caliper sizes and that final heritage‑tree removal decisions will be reviewed by City Council. Staff said administrative approval of the preliminary plat may follow once the tree‑removal process is completed.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve tree‑removal findings and advance preliminary plat PP-24-0060 (Burleson Tract) — mover: Commissioner Rauce; second: Vice Chair Colomba; outcome: approved (unanimous).