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Farmers Branch staff present 55-acre median maintenance plan emphasizing drought-tolerant plantings and community input
Summary
City staff proposed a median maintenance plan covering about 55 acres that standardizes inspection, seasonal planting and outreach, prioritizes drought-tolerant palettes, and coordinates with public-works projects and nearby Addison cost-sharing.
City of Farmers Branch staff presented a median maintenance plan intended to standardize care for roughly 55 acres of landscape medians across the city.
Tara Bradley, the city’s park planner, told the council the plan would "document maintenance schedules and protocol for existing medians" and include maintenance frequencies, seasonal planting, inspection and reporting protocols, safety measures and community outreach. Robert Diaz, parks and recreation superintendent, said the document is meant to be a "living" plan that staff will update based on operational experience.
The plan emphasizes drought-tolerant plant palettes and sustainability. When asked whether the plan includes low-water landscaping, Diaz said the plant palette is "similar to" a recent TxDOT green-ribbon submission and is intended to reduce water use while improving appearance.
Council members pressed staff on implementation details. Grama Solarez, director of public works, confirmed neighboring Addison will share costs on a separate professional-services item tied to median work, saying Addison is "contributing 55% of the remaining, which is $376,000." Councilmembers also asked how residents could petition for tree or artwork dedications; staff said proposals would be routed through the city manager’s office and reviewed by the arts-and-culture committee.
Staff noted irrigation limits affect planting choices: wildflower seedings have established well where irrigation exists, but in non-irrigated medians "you might get a good stand 1 year and the next year" making shrubs or crepe myrtles a more consistent option.
Council and staff agreed the city will coordinate median rehabilitation with planned street and utility projects to avoid rework and will consider central irrigation-control upgrades only if funding becomes available under the city’s master plan.
The council did not take formal action; staff will return with implementation steps and any funding requests as needed.
