Forest Cove 1-CS 971017 Coppell, Texas 75019
/,~----~/~ The City With A Beautiful Future 972-462-0022
~_// //__~,,/ P.o Box nz8
October 17, 1997
_,Mr. Terry Mitchell
Carter and Burgess, Inc.
Suite 250
7950 Elmbrook Drive
Dallas TX 75247
re: Forest Cove Estates
Dear Terry:
This is to advise you of the increasing amount of citizen interest in tree preservation in Coppell.
Even as early as last spring, while your preliminary plat was under consideration and with little
publicity, we had already received a call from a gentleman concerned primarily about the trees
along the south side of Sandy Lake Road between Coppell Road and Whispering Hills Drive. If
these are not already within street right-of-way, they soon will be, and probably will interfere with
the ultimate widening of the road.
Also last spring we received several calls about the tree removal at Vistas of Coppell Phase I.
The project's high visibility, the stacking of limbs near the highway, the substantial amount of tree
removal and the open burning led to considerable criticism.
For these reasons it will be advisable, at your pre-construction meeting or some other time prior
tO grading, for you and the City's on-site staff to establish well-defined ground rules. The tree
preservation requirements, as presently written, exempt the area within platted rights-of-way and
easements. Therefore you are allowed to remove all trees in those areas, regardless of size or
species, without having to plant any replacement trees. However, regardless of species, the only
trees that you can remove outside right-of-way and easement areas without a tree permit are
those trees which are less than 3"-caliper measured 12" from the ground, those which are
diseased, those which are unsafe, and those which are in conflict with other ordinances. To
remove any other tree 3 inches in caliper or larger requires a tree permit. Furthermore, prior to
obtaining a building permit on a given lot, you must replace with an equivalent number of caliper
inches any tree on that lot which you receive authorization to remove, regardless of its location.
Mr. Terry Mitchell
October 17, 1997
Page 2
Given the amount of lot grading that may be advisable or necessary prior to home constructien,
you should be aware that the developer may need to make more than average allowances in
landscape budget for tree replacement. If you have any questions about the current tree
preservation requirements, please call me at 972-304-3676.
Sincerely,
Pert Virtanen
Assistant Director of Planning and Community Services
cc: Ken Griffin, City Engineer
Greg Jones, Building Official
Brad Reid, Parks Planner/Landscape Manager