Cedar Park council adopts Transportation Criteria Manual with new 16‑foot street‑tree clearance

Cedar Park’s City Council unanimously adopted a revised Transportation Criteria Manual that raises the minimum clearance for trees over roadways from 14 feet to 16 feet.

Resident Karen Wind told the council she was surprised the clearance changed from 14 to 16 feet between the Jan. 22 draft and the version on the agenda and asked, “How did it go from January 22 being 14 feet till tonight being 16 feet?” (Karen Wind, public comment).

Randy Leader, director of engineering capital projects, said staff increased the standard after a final review to provide additional clearance for side‑arm automated trash trucks and certain city vehicles. “Let’s do 16 feet above the roadway to provide that clearance,” Leader said, adding that the manual includes exception language so uniquely configured areas such as Town Center can be treated differently.

Councilmember Kirkland moved to approve the manual and was seconded by Councilmember Frizza. The council approved the Transportation Criteria Manual on a 6‑0 vote.

Why it matters: Staff said the change is intended to protect both trees and equipment by providing a margin above the working height of large trucks and platform equipment; leaders also said the 16‑foot criterion aligns with common bridge‑clearance design practices and that waivers can preserve trees where the automated truck issue does not apply.

What was decided: The Transportation Criteria Manual was adopted as presented. Staff said implementation will primarily affect new streets and retrofits where the standard is applied; exception language and administrative waivers are available for specific locations.

Next steps: Council and staff said they will coordinate on outreach for neighborhoods where the change could be unexpected and will work through the manual’s exception process for unique areas such as Town Center.