HomeMy WebLinkAbout(0009) IR 20-10481 - Urban Forestry Ordinance and Enforcement ProceduresINFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 20-10481
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council September 15, 2020
Page 1 of 1
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° SUBJECT: URBAN FORESTRY ORDINANCE AND ENFORCEMENT
krA PROCEDURES
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The purpose of this Informal Report is to provide an overview of the Urban Forestry Ordinance and
procedures, particularly related to enforcement. The purpose of the Urban Forestry Ordinance is to
achieve 30% tree canopy coverage citywide and to promote a multi -aged urban forest. The ordinance
was last updated in 2009 and amendments proposed in 2015 were not adopted by City Council.
Role of the City Council:
The role of the City Council is to approve/deny Urban Forestry Ordinance amendments.
Role of the Urban Design Commission (UDC):
The role of the Urban Design Commission (UDC) is to consider appeals to urban forestry regulations.
Action by the UDC does not relieve an applicant of applicable penalties. Appeals of UDC decisions are
heard at District Court. The UDC may take the following actions:
• Deny the appeal, in which case the urban forestry plan/permit shall not be accepted or granted;
• Grant the appeal and direct the City Forester to accept and approve the urban forestry
plan/permit; or
• Grant the appeal subject to such provisions, conditions or limitations as deemed appropriate by
the UDC.
Role of the Development Services Director:
The Director is responsible for matters involving the Zoning Ordinance, inclusive of the Urban Forestry
Ordinance, by designating appropriate staff to perform plan review, inspection, determination of
appropriate penalties, and amending the ordinance as directed by the City Council.
Penalties -
Anyone who violates or resists enforcement of the Urban Forestry Ordinance may be assessed a civil
penalty, issued a citation for a misdemeanor, or both. The ordinance prescribes penalty amounts.
Inspections:
In 2018, Gas Well Inspectors were tasked with urban forestry tree protection inspections. Inspectors
visit the site to verify that protective fencing has been installed in accordance with the tree protection
plan submitted with their urban forestry permit application. Passing inspections are required prior to
issuance of urban forestry or grading permits. Re -inspections are required if fencing is not properly
installed. Inspectors may meet with contractors onsite prior to installation of fencing, particularly in
densely wooded areas where some tree removal is required in order to install the fencing. Interim
inspections may be scheduled for long-term projects. Post -grading inspections are conducted upon
receipt of a Final Grading Certificate or applicant notification that grading has been completed. Staff
intends to explore internal and external options for utilizing drone or other aerial technology for pre -
development inspections and investigations of unauthorized clearing.
For any questions, please contact Arty Wheaton -Rodriguez in Development Services at 817-392-6226.
David Cooke
City Manager
Attachment: Urban Forestry Violations since October 1, 2017
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS
Urban Forestry Violations since October 1, 2017
Date of
Name/Address
Council
Property
Violation
Resolution
Status
Complaint
District
Owner/Developer
1/30/2018
7850 E Ederville
5
2901 S Walton Walker
Unauthorized
Stop Work Order; Submitted
UFC18-0055 issued
LLC, Hussain Murawat
clearing
OF Application
3/9/2018
11785 Alta
7
Bloomfield Homes
Unauthorized
Stop work order; penalty
UFC17-0249 issued
Vista Road
clearing
settlement agreement
9/11/2018
FM 1187 & 1-35,
6
Southgate
Unauthorized
Stop Work Order; Applicant
UFC19-0142 issued;
SE Corner
Marketplace
clearing
submitted OF application that
project is being
met ordinance requirements,
developed in
but also filed waiver request to
accordance with
remove remaining tree canopy.
approved plan
Case was continued by UDC.
Applicant has not returned to
UDC.
9/20/2018
8308
5
Meadowbrook Fill Site
Unauthorized
Permit application was revised
UFC18-0117. Stop
Meadowbrook
clearing prior to
to be consistent with actual
Work Order remains
permit issuance
removal and to be in
in effect until
and in excess of
compliance with ordinance
issuance of UFC18-
proposed tree
requirements. Project has
0117 and grading
removal
been dormant since Stop Work
permit
Order issued. Applicant has
stated he plans to install
fencing and submit required
revisions to grading permit this
fall.
12/17/2018
NEC Sandy Lane
5
Carol Oaks North
Unauthorized
OF and grading permits not yet
UFC18-0235 and
& Ederville
clearing, site
issued
grading permit
work
issued
2/14/2019
4851 Scott
7
Scott Goat Farm, LLC
Unauthorized
Fence repaired and Phase 1
UFC19-0061 issued
Road
tree removal/
urban forestry permit
fill
application submitted.
[Type here] Informal Report to City Council Members: Urban Forestry, September 15, 2020 Attachment 1
Urban Forestry Violations since October 1, 2017
Date of
Name/Address
Council
Property
Violation
Resolution
Status
Complaint
District
Owner/Developer
6/14/2019
4412 Overton
3
Arthur Rubin
Unauthorized
Citation issued; owner
Citation paid,
Crest
tree removal
required to replant to meet OF
UFC19-0243 issued,
coverage requirements.
planting confirmed
11/10/2019
City Property at
7
Tony Lucyk, 9016
Tree removal
PARD violation, but citation
Citation issued and
Heron & Castle
Heron
from City
issued by OF inspector
paid
Circle
property
4/10/2020
7325 John T
5
Christine Armstrong
Unauthorized
Tree removal application
Tree Removal Permit
White
tree removal
submitted.
Issued
5/28/2020
Trailridge Drive
7
West River
Unauthorized
OF application submitted
UFC20-0187,
Development
tree removal;
Application under
fill
review
6/11/2020
8650
5
ECM Development
Tree clearing in
Stop Work Order Issued;
Waiver approved;
Meadowbrook
excess of permit
Applicant applied for waiver
Calculation of
Dr
from UDC; payment of penalty
penalties in process
fees required
8/3/2020
2208 Capri
2
Everardo Ramirez
Unauthorized
Owner required to submit OF
Pending receipt of
tree removal
Application
application
[Type here] Informal Report to City Council Members: Urban Forestry, September 15, 2020 Attachment 1