Allen, Frisco, Plano, Fairview and McKinney have Tree Preservation Ordinances that protect 6" and 8" diameter trees from clear cutting by developers. City Staff is proposing a change to the McKinney Ordinance that will exempt all trees less than 36" diameter from this protection.
All of the cities listed require a developer to produce a tree survey which shows every tree on the property to be developed. The drawing also shows the streets, homes and other proposed structures in relation to the trees. These surveys are valuable tools the staff uses to determine if the project meets our Ordiances and other regulations.
A proposal will be presented to City Council on Monday night, June 20, to virtually eliminate tree surveys for McKinney. Staff would have no reference to use to prevent developers from bulldozing every tree smaller than 36". This change will virtually disable our Tree Preservation Ordinance. The only thing that will remain is the protection of trees in the Flood Plain we just fought so hard to preserve.
We all expect developers to try and take the shortest path to a profit. The long term character and future of our city is in the hands of Elected Officials and City Staff. It is very concerning that this short sighted proposal is coming from within our Development Services Department. Unique by Nature...maybe not.
Please email the City Council by Monday and let them know how you feel about this at:
Contact-citycouncil@mckinneytexas.org