Government
BY TOMER RONEN
City of Katy could implement new landscaping regulations and the number of trees required in parking lots, Lazo said. Property owners would be in charge of maintaining landscaped areas. Diving in deeper Proposed Katy landscaping requirements
Katy officials are considering implementing landscaping regulations with the goal of protecting city trees. Zooming in City Planner Rachel Lazo presented several suggestions at an Aug. 25 special meeting, which would require more landscaping at several properties across Katy. Lazo said the suggestions aim to: • Protect, preserve and enhance the city’s canopy • Promote quality development through cohesive landscaping • Encourage native and drought-resistant plants for water conservatory • Improve stormwater runoff quantity and quality • Abate environment and vehicle noise and glare The requirements would also increase the percentage of property reserved for landscaping
Trees must have a 3-inch caliper minimum Shrubs must have a 5-gallon minimum All existing trees to be barricaded during construction A 15-foot landscape buffer on private property One tree and three shrubs per 25 feet of frontage
Lazo also presented a plan to preserve trees with a circumference above 25 inches within the Old Katy District and above 60 inches within city limits. The removal of any tree would face replacement requirements and fees up to $10,000 per tree with a circumference of 36 inches or more. What they’re saying Several City Council members said the requirements seemed too stringent for city officials to be regulating. “To me, it feels like we took requirements from [a homeowners association] and now we’re trying to apply it to the entire city,” Ward A council member Janet Corte said.
SOURCE: CITY OF KATY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
What’s next While no meeting date has been set yet, City Council will revisit the landscaping ordinance discussion before potential approval.
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KATY - FULSHEAR EDITION
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