9 replies to this topic

[Urbndwlr]

I've noticed many new houses built in older/existing neighborhoods where the builder (and/or owner) does not plant a single tree in the front of the house.

 

Doesn't the City of Fort Worth require tree planting for new single-family houses and two-family residential buildings?

 

I've also noticed that when home builders build a house on a new lot in a brand new neighborhood, it appears they ARE required to plant at least one tree in the front yard. 

Side note: they rarely plant a tree between the sidewalk and street which I think is a mistake.

 

SURELY the City has considered requiring newly built houses to have to plant (or keep) at least one tree... right?

 

Is there a reason why the City cannot require this? 

Is there a reason why the City would have decided not to require this?

[Papaw]

I agree that trees add atmosphere and supplement beauty to neighborhoods. I have noticed however that some of the older neighborhoods that had trees between sidewalks and curbs often destroyed the sidewalks or curbs with their roots over long periods of time. However, with the advice of a horticulturist I would think there would be feasible alternatives.

[mmmdan]

The new neighborhoods are built with an HOA in mind.  Starts out with the builder running it, and then it gets turned over to the residents.  A lot of HOAs have very specific rules about having a tree in the front yard, and it's usually a set of specific trees that are allowed, and they may also provide strict guidance on where the tree can be located.

 

In the older neighborhoods, people are free to do what they want as long as it doesn't break any city rules/laws.  I haven't looked, but I would be surprised if the city had a rule/law requiring trees to be planted.  I am aware that there is an ordinance about the amount of trees that have to be preserved for new developments, but have no idea if that would apply to a new house built on a random empty lot or a it was a teardown.

[Urbndwlr]

Thanks for responses.  I think that some of these home lots did have trees in front, some did not.  (so question would apply to both:  duty to preserve existing & duty to plant one if not).

 

I recall hearing something about a minimum lot size where tree preservation rules apply - however that might be out of date information. 

 

Anyone know if you have a typical residential lots are subject to tree preservation ordinance?  (planting req't could be separate)

 

If answer is no, I wonder if reason is its just too hard for the City to administer and likely expensive for residential prop owner (think tree preservation process requires tree surveys (cost?)

[mmmdan]

Easier to find than I thought.  A quick read makes it look like single family homes on lots less than 1 acre are exempt.

https://www.fortwort...g/urbanforestry

 

Google search words "fort worth tree preservation ordinance"

[Urbndwlr]

Easier to find than I thought.  A quick read makes it look like single family homes on lots less than 1 acre are exempt.

https://www.fortwort...g/urbanforestry

 

Google search words "fort worth tree preservation ordinance"

Thanks for posting. 

 

Seems possible the requirement to plant a tree could exist outside of the Tree Preservation Ordinance, in the residential development ordinance.

Appears (from built examples) they are not required. 

 

Do you all think there any reason this should not be required?  (planting at least one tree in either front yard or between sidewalk & street?

I assume would not require extra studies/reports, just have to plant the tree and have some sort of irrigation to it - as part of the existing inspection process.

 

Am i missing some glaring reason this wouldn't be a good policy?

 

[Crestline]

The Fort Worth urban forestry page above states:

 

The Urban Forestry Management Section implements and enforces theUrban Forestry ordinance(PDF, 2MB), which protects healthy and significant trees and ensures planting of trees with land development to achieve the city’s goal of 30 percent overall canopy cover. 

 

So, seems like the city has picked 30% cover as a reasonable goal to aim for with existing regulations. Sure, I'd love to see this goal jacked up to 50% or more because trees are cool, but as has been pointed out the regulatory burden would creep up. 

 

Note that the city will deliver free trees if a neighborhood agrees to plant them and water them! Details about the Neighborhood Tree Planting Program here. 

[Stadtplan]

The Fort Worth urban forestry page above states:

 

The Urban Forestry Management Section implements and enforces theUrban Forestry ordinance(PDF, 2MB), which protects healthy and significant trees and ensures planting of trees with land development to achieve the city’s goal of 30 percent overall canopy cover. 

 

So, seems like the city has picked 30% cover as a reasonable goal to aim for with existing regulations. Sure, I'd love to see this goal jacked up to 50% or more because trees are cool, but as has been pointed out the regulatory burden would creep up. 

 

Note that the city will deliver free trees if a neighborhood agrees to plant them and water them! Details about the Neighborhood Tree Planting Program here. 

 

I personally am shocked at the number of old growth trees that COFW has allowed to be torn down for both single-family, multifamily and industrial tilt-wall developments.  That's great that they will deliver free saplings but will never outpace the amount of trees being cut down in other parts of town in the name of development.  

[Crestline]

It would be interesting to learn how often neighborhoods use the NTPP. I would use it personally to get a tree or two if the city scaled the program down to work with single property owners, but as-is I believe the program only engages with coordinated groups of 25 to 75 owners. It's hard to get that many people on the same page, and frankly I wouldn't be surprised if the program went totally unused some years.

[Stadtplan]

Here's a new UDC case looking for waiver of 0% tree preservation for a storage unit project.

https://aca-prod.acc...ShowInspection=

 

Applicant requests a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for a waiver from the Urban Forestry Ordinance’s 25% tree preservation requirement to allow a 0% tree preservation requirement.