by Nicole Bradford
Pearland City Council on Monday adopted changes to its longstanding tree ordinance after more than a year of discussion.
“These changes provide a simple and easy to understand, easy to administer tree mitigation program,” City Manager Trent Epperson said.
The council on Monday voted 6-1 to approve the second of two scheduled readings of the ordinance, with council member Layni Cade voting against it.
Cade has maintained her opposition to changes to the ordinance, which she says was created to protect trees, not businesses or developers.
The amendments cap fees at 4 percent of the development value, including an inch-per-inch credit for trees preserved and planted, raising tree mitigation fees from $200 to $300 per inch, and excluding removal of damaged or dead trees.
The conversation regarding the tree ordinance, first adopted in 1997, began after complaints that it was too complex and a deterrent for new businesses. City staff have estimated the ordinance has preserved and expanded the tree canopy by more than 20 percent.
