Fair Oaks Ranch resident presents petition asking council to adopt a homeowner tree-preservation ordinance

Ron Madura, a Fair Oaks Ranch resident, presented a petition at the Nov. 6 City Council meeting asking the city to adopt a homeowner tree preservation ordinance that would require permits to remove large, healthy trees and establish a replacement or mitigation process.

Madura said the petition includes signatures from residents across multiple neighborhoods and that recent, unregulated removal of mature native oaks has prompted concerns about preserving the city—s rural character. He said homeowners want a standard for removals that covers private residential property as well as development activities.

"These trees are part of what makes Fair Oaks Ranch special. They provide shade, wildlife habitat, and help define the rural character we all moved here to enjoy," Madura told council during the citizens-to-be-heard period.

Council members and staff acknowledged the importance of trees to the city—s identity. Council also noted the city—s existing oak wilt treatment program and that a proclamation recognizing Arbor Day (Nov. 7) had been presented earlier in the meeting. No action was taken on the petition at the meeting; the council may schedule review of a draft ordinance in a future agenda if staff and council decide to pursue one.

Context

- The city already operates an oak wilt treatment program that provides reimbursements to property owners for eligible treatment services up to a per-property cap; staff reported demand has outpaced available funds in previous years.

- The council and staff noted the city—s existing Unified Development Code includes guidelines for new development and a program for addressing oak wilt; any homeowner ordinance would be a separate regulatory tool applying to private property.

Quotes

"We are respectfully asking the city to adopt a homeowner's tree preservation ordinance," Ron Madura said as he delivered a petition signed by over 100 residents.

Next steps

Council did not set a schedule for further action at the Nov. 6 meeting. Council and staff discussed tree-related programs at the meeting later in the agenda; a formal ordinance or policy would need to be drafted and posted for public review before council action.