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Council approves tree-removal permit for Lakeview Parkway development after applicant agrees to exhibit
Summary
The Rowlett City Council unanimously approved a tree-removal resolution for a 2-acre phase of a Lakeview Parkway development, allowing removal of 17 protected trees with a $30,417.50 mitigation fee and requiring staff to attach an exhibit identifying the parcel.
The Rowlett City Council on March 3 approved a resolution granting a tree-removal permit to allow removal of 17 protected trees (totaling 250 caliper inches) for a development at 2700 Lakeview Parkway. The resolution applies to the initial 2-acre phase of a larger 7.78-acre tract and carries a mitigation fee of $30,417.50 into the city’s tree reforestation fund.
Planner Liliana Morejon presented the request, citing Section 77.504 of the Rowlett development code and noting the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended denial by a 0–7 vote. Morejon told the council the applicant’s site development plan is zoned PD with a base zoning of C-2 and that mitigation may be accomplished either by on-site replacement or payment into the reforestation fund.
Applicant Brian Salacuse said utilities and required fire, sanitary and storm infrastructure constrained the site and necessitated the removal of 17 protected trees within the 2-acre parcel. He told the council the project will plant 55 new three-inch-caliper trees on the parcel and, over the full 7.7-acre development area across phases, the developer expects to plant a total of approximately 229 new trees.
Council members pressed staff and the applicant to clarify the distinction between required landscaping shown on the site plan and separate tree-mitigation obligations; staff confirmed required landscaping and mitigation planting are counted separately and cannot be double-counted. Councilmember Victoria (council counsel) and others also asked that the resolution be limited to the specific 2-acre phase rather than the entire 7.78-acre tract as written in the agenda.
Councilmember Mike Britton moved to approve the resolution for the approximately 2-acre phase and required staff to attach an exhibit identifying the parcel; Shoop seconded. The motion carried unanimously. The city’s staff committed to provide the legal description and an exhibit to be attached to the resolution.
The council’s approval authorizes mitigation payment into the reforestation fund unless the applicant fulfills mitigation on-site as allowed. The record reflects the council’s insistence on irrigation and other measures to support newly planted trees so mitigation survives and provides long-term canopy benefits.
