The Rockwall City Council on Oct. 20 approved an alternative tree mitigation settlement for the Irwin Farm subdivision, allowing the developer to pay $200,000 into park improvements at the adjacent Alma Williams Park in lieu of planting all remaining required canopy trees on the 98.33-acre development.

City planning staff reported the applicant's tree survey shows removal of about 4,188 caliper inches of protected trees; the submitted landscape plan provides approximately 547 canopy trees equating to about 2,188 caliper inches. That leaves an outstanding balance of roughly 2,000 caliper inches. Under the Unified Development Code the developer may purchase up to 20% of required credits at $100 per caliper inch but must otherwise plant the remaining trees on site; full compliance would have required planting roughly 838 additional canopy trees and paying a mitigation balance of about $83,760 under the 20%-purchase allowance calculation.

The applicant proposed instead to pay the outstanding 2,000 caliper inches at $100 per inch ($200,000) and direct that sum specifically to improvements at Alma Williams Park, which sits adjacent to the subdivision. Planning staff said the contribution would be in addition to other park fees and the subdivision's required amenity package. Planning & Zoning recommended approval 7-0, and council voted unanimously to accept the alternative settlement agreement.

Ty Young of Scorebird Company, representing the developer, said the subdivision is already planting a substantial number of trees within lots and open spaces and that there is limited additional space on-site to plant the balance. "We'd like to put the balance of our tree mitigation into the neighboring park," Young said. Staff noted the money could support amenity improvements in Alma Williams Park and create a direct benefit for future residents of Irwin Farm and nearby neighborhoods.

The council's approval authorizes the alternative tree settlement agreement by which the developer's payment will be earmarked for park improvements; staff will work to define specific park projects and report back to council as funds are allocated.