At the July 23 meeting, Planning commissioner Tom Buford continued discussion of changes to the tree removal ordinance. He suggested retaining parts of the existing ordinance describing the “small trees” which property owners can remove with the approval of the building inspector. The current language includes dead trees, but Buford suggested requiring the Board of Zoning Adjustment to review the removal of those dead trees considered “specimen” or “antique.”
The commission has discussed invasive tree species, and Chair Ann Sallee asked if they should give the building inspector authority to approve the removal of invasive trees, even if larger than four inches in diameter. “It might be an incentive for people to remove them if they know they don’t have to come to us,” she said.
The current ordinance allows the building inspector to approve tree cuts in hazardous conditions, and commissioners would retain that language.
Sallee said the mayor had asked the commission to consider a new vision plan for the city. She asked the others for suggestions on how to tackle that, and new commissioner LJ Smole suggested a workshop, although the commission already has a workshop planned before the next meeting, for revisions to the tree removal ordinance. Council meets on Aug. 26, and the meeting area in the Aud will already be set up for that meeting. Planning may schedule a workshop from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on that date.
Commissioners will invite department heads to discuss present and future needs, and the mayor has formed an Economic Development Task Force, giving the commission a head start on that aspect of the vision plan.
Buford suggested holding workshops with just the commission before inviting representatives from other city departments. Regardless how the commission proceeds, Smole observed, “The vision plan is going to take a lot out of us.”
Entertainment and fundraising
The state legislature now allows cities to designate an entertainment district, allowing alcoholic beverages outside an establishment. Sallee said she was asked to appoint a commission member to the committee considering an entertainment district, and commissioner Katie Hendrickson volunteered.
The commission has discussed restricting fundraising car washes to the site of a commercial car wash. Sallee read from a San Antonio ordinance stating, “Vehicle wash fundraisers shall be conducted at a vehicle wash facility using the facility’s equipment.” Commissioner James Mitchell praised the “short and sweet” language, and added that the city should further require washing in the bays, and not in the parking lot, so that water would go through the proper filters, and not into storm drains. “People wanting to gather money is good,” commissioner Fergie Stewart said, “but they have to do it in a way that doesn’t harm the public.” Sallee expects to bring a proposed ordinance to the table in August, which would then go to city council.