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Commission conditions Windrose Green tree-mitigation approval on recalculation with parks and engineer input
Summary
The commission recommended approval of the Windrose Green tree mitigation plan contingent on a recalculation of mitigation credits based on tree caliper at time of planting, with input from Parks & Recreation and the city engineer or an agreed fee-in-lieu.
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended that city council approve the Windrose Green tree mitigation/site plan only after the applicant and city staff (including parks and the city engineer) agree on recalculated mitigation credits or a fee-in-lieu to address measurement discrepancies.
Joe Grabinsky, director of development for Amber Group, told the commission that 24 trees had been removed during development, totaling 198 caliper inches; using the ordinance’s 3:1 replacement requirement, that multiplies to approximately 594 caliper inches. Grabinsky said phases 1 and 2 of replacement plantings have been completed and phase 3 is proposed; when phases 1–3 are counted together the applicant’s letter shows roughly 596.5 caliper inches proposed.
Commissioners pressed whether caliper measurements were taken at planting or later. Staff and the applicant said the arborist survey was conducted in November 2024, while some trees were planted in late 2022–early 2023 and others in mid-2024. Commissioners said measurements taken well after planting can inflate mitigation credit; Commissioner Townsend proposed requiring a recalculation using caliper at time of planting with input from Parks and Recreation and the city engineer so any deficit is addressed by additional plantings or fee-in-lieu.
Commissioner 8 moved to recommend approval contingent on agreement between city staff and the developer on additional plantings or fees; Townsend’s amendment to require recalculation with parks and city-engineer input was seconded and adopted. Staff will coordinate with parks and the applicant so the recommendation before council includes recalculated credits or a fee alternative.
Why it matters: the recomputation will determine whether Amber Group must plant additional trees or pay a fee, and clarifies how the heritage-tree ordinance (3:1 replacement) is applied when measurements and planting dates differ.
Next steps: staff and Parks and Recreation will meet with the applicant to recalculate credits; the commission’s recommendation and the recalculation will be forwarded to council.
