City may require tree in front yard of all new homes
Caleb Soptelean
New homes could be required to have a tree in the front yard if a new ordinance is approved.
Council talked about such a requirement last week.
City Manager David Cockrell’s proposal would require a two-inch caliper tree in the front yard of every residential dwelling in town.
Council was cool to that idea, however, and leaned toward a requirement only for new homes.
Cockrell said the tree planting idea came in response to a recent citizens’ survey that placed a high importance on landscaping. “We’re simply going by the responses,” Cockrell said.
He noted that “very few cities” have a mandatory landscaping requirement for residential dwellings.
“I have a hard time charging someone $50 to $100 (fine) to put a tree in their front yard,” Mayor Jeff Landrith said.
Landrith softened his stance a little after the consensus of council in favor of new home construction was made known.
Council voted 6-1 to have city staff draft a proposed ordinance dealing with new home construction only, with Joe Conner dissenting.
“Some people don’t like trees,” Conner said.
Councilwoman Kathleen Moon said trees save energy.
Councilman Jay Adams noted that the issue was the “second most popular thing” on the survey.
Cockrell noted the proposed ordinance would be modeled after Oklahoma City’s.
Caleb Soptelean
New homes could be required to have a tree in the front yard if a new ordinance is approved.
Council talked about such a requirement last week.
City Manager David Cockrell’s proposal would require a two-inch caliper tree in the front yard of every residential dwelling in town.
Council was cool to that idea, however, and leaned toward a requirement only for new homes.
Cockrell said the tree planting idea came in response to a recent citizens’ survey that placed a high importance on landscaping. “We’re simply going by the responses,” Cockrell said.
He noted that “very few cities” have a mandatory landscaping requirement for residential dwellings.
“I have a hard time charging someone $50 to $100 (fine) to put a tree in their front yard,” Mayor Jeff Landrith said.
Landrith softened his stance a little after the consensus of council in favor of new home construction was made known.
Council voted 6-1 to have city staff draft a proposed ordinance dealing with new home construction only, with Joe Conner dissenting.
“Some people don’t like trees,” Conner said.
Councilwoman Kathleen Moon said trees save energy.
Councilman Jay Adams noted that the issue was the “second most popular thing” on the survey.
Cockrell noted the proposed ordinance would be modeled after Oklahoma City’s.
1 comments
i just read the tree in the yard article and i think this is the most ridiculous thing that i have heard,first off i do have trees but if i chose not to then that is my business,i pay for my home and the upkeep not the city council.
whats next are they going to tell me what color car i can drive.
i am a long time resident and over the last few years it has really got out of hand with the city council and the new ordinances that they are trying to pass.
apparently these people need a life so they will have less time to think up ignorant laws and maybe work on something like the crime in this city.
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