Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Plant List topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioner urges removal of Afghan pine from Bedford's approved plant list; colleagues weigh regional SmartScape approach
Summary
Commissioner Roger Galenstine urged striking Afghan pine from the local plant list at the July 23 meeting, citing high removal costs for homeowners; staff and other commissioners cautioned that the ordinance references a regionally maintained Texas SmartScape list that is intended to be a living document.
At the Bedford Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on July 23, Commissioner Roger Galenstine urged the panel to remove Afghan pine from the list of approved plantings, saying the species had cost his homeowners association "well in excess of five figures" to remove in the past.
"I'd like to make a motion to approve but amend the list and strike Afghan pine," Galenstine said, offering a motion to change the draft ordinance's plant list. Staff and other commissioners pushed back on making ad hoc edits to the referenced Texas SmartScape list, with city staff cautioning that the SmartScape list is a living, regionally reviewed resource maintained by the COG and state horticulturists. Wes Morrison said altering the living list locally could be complex and recommended working through the COG or the city's beautification committee to request changes at the regional level.
Commissioners also raised other species—vitex, hybrid locusts and Mexican plum—during discussion about regional suitability and homeowner preferences. One commissioner noted personal experience growing vitex but called it invasive; staff explained that regional horticultural review informed why some species are excluded. The proposed amendment to remove Afghan pine was not seconded and therefore was not considered; the commission voted to forward the staff-drafted ordinance to City Council.
