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Fulshear requires wildlife-impact studies for larger residential developments
Summary
The council approved an ordinance requiring developers of residential sites 20 acres or larger to complete a wildlife-impact analysis before submitting preliminary plats; staff described the action as phase one, with Phase Two to consider mitigation steps in July.
The Fulshear City Council voted Tuesday to require a wildlife-impact analysis for residential developments of 20 acres or larger.
Planning staff said the requirement grew from a parks-board request and technical input from a former biology professor who drafted the initial language. "This is essentially a wildlife corridor-type analysis," the planner said, with the goal of identifying species, habitats and timing (for example, avoiding clearing during migration) and recommending measures such as preserving connecting green space or reinstating native plants after disturbance.
The measure, described by staff as phase one of a two-part process, asks developers of qualifying residential sites to conduct and submit the study at the time of preliminary plat submittal. Staff said phase two — expected by July — will lay out potential mitigations and how the city would act on the studies' findings.
Council reduced an original 50-acre threshold to 20 acres after a parks-board recommendation and after Planning & Zoning recommended approval. Several council members asked whether the rule applies only to residential zoning; staff said it was focused on residential districts because many commercial properties already front major thoroughfares and tend to have lower wildlife value.
Council approved the ordinance by voice vote. Staff said they plan to take study results to Parks & Rec and Planning & Zoning before returning policy proposals to council.
