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Rhonda Adloo - RE: Sandy Lake / Trees ST 99-02A
From:
To:
Date:
Subject:
CC:
Ken Griffin
Howard Sacks
8/31/2007 10:22 AM
RE: Sandy Lake / Trees ST 99-02 A
Brad Reid; Rhonda Adloo
Mr. Sacks
I would love to take credit for the landscaping in the median, however, the credit goes to our Parks and
Recreation Department. I discovered that on our large projects the end result was much better when I
built the improvements and then turned the landscaping over to Parks. The response on our approach
to using low water plant material has been mixed. Therefore, I am forwarding your email to the
Director of Parks and Recreation so that Department can take the credit for ajob well done. _"
U/~n regards to Northlake Community College, they have completed all items needed to start construc.t..i.on].
and have had their official ground breaking ceremony. You should see work take off in the coming
weeks. Their goal is to be open for Fall 2008. _ __ ..
~'---
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me at your convenience.
Ken Griffin
>>> "Sacks, Howard" <HSacks@bellhelicopter.textron.com> 8/31/2007 9:44 AM >>>
Ken,
I just wanted to say that the rebuilt and replanted areas along Sandy Lake between N Coppell and 121 look
excellent. The mix of low water use plants is well designed. That was a good job of planning. When is
construction set to begin/end on the branch of the Dallas Community College at 121 and Sandy Lake?
Howard Sacks
From: Ken Griffin [mailto:kgriffin@cLcoppell.tx,us]
Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2006 12:35 PM
To: Sacks, Howard
Cc: Jim Witt
Subject: Sandy Lake / Trees
Mr Sacks
Thank you for your inquiry concerning trees along Sandy Lake Road. Before I answer your exact questions, I
would like to provide some information on the project and the trees.
We received our preliminary construction plans in 2001 and at that time I begin reviewing ways to save trees.
One alternative that I looked at was to eliminate the median from Denton Tap to Coppell Road so the actual road
took up less spa.ce. The problem was that it did not save very many trees and the road, without a median, would
be less safe. Wlth~ut turn lanes and a m~dian,. vehicles would stop in the road to turn (this is what happens
today). However, In the future the road Will be Improved and the vehicles will be traveling faster creating the
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opportunity for an increase in rear end accidents.
The second approach I looked at was to install a portion of our trail system, on the south side of Sandy Lake, on
HOA property from Georgian Drive to Coppell Road. Relocating the trail to HOA property would potentially allow
us to save numerous trees along the south side of Sandy Lake. If the trail is installed in the right of way of
Sandy Lake, all the trees along the south side will need to be removed. We will have about 10 feet of right of
way behind the curb and the trail is 10 feet wide. Therefore, everything behind the curb has to come out to
construct the trail. The trail is wider than a normal 5 foot sidewalk because it is part of our Master Trail System
for the city. The approach made sense to us, however, the first HOA we approached was not in support of the
trail on HOA property. This is the section from Georgian Drive to Whispering Hills. I continue to work with that
HOA. If they eventually allow us on their property, then we will contact the other HOA that controls the section
from Whispering Hills to Coppell Road. It's important to note that even if we go behind the trees, some of the
trees will still need to come out because of grade changes in Sandy Lake to correct visibility issues,
especially near Cottonwood Drive. But, going behind the trees does give us an opportunity to attempt to save
some trees.
We also looked at planting new trees behind the current trees now so they would be more mature when the
other trees are removed. However, there is not space to plant trees behind the existing trees because the City
has a major water transmission line running about 5 feet off the front of the existing brick walls along the south
side of Sandy Lake and trees cannot be planted on or near the water line.
Now for your answers:
1) The trees marked across from Albertson's were not marked by the City. There are two developments
currently proposed for that property. One has already poured their slab and will be working on the rest of the
site soon. The other development is a proposed residential development that goes along Sandy Lake from the
new concrete slab to the Verizon building and goes south behind MacDonald's and KFC all the way to the
Wynnpage subdivision. It has not received approval yet. It is being presented tonight at Planning and Zoning
and if it obtains approval it will go to Council in August. I believe that proposed development is the one who
tagged the trees. Some of the marked trees are in the city right of way and would need to be removed with the
Sandy Lake widening. Both of the developments did submit tree surveys and will be required to replant trees or
pay money for the trees removed on their property.
2) The trees are too large to be successfully transplanted.
3) We have a tree pallette in our ordinance that specifies the type of tree that can be planted. The developer
can choose trees from that pallette to plant.
4) We do have a landscape plan to plant trees and shrubs in the median of Sandy Lake once it has been
widened. The plan is similar to the landscaping along Sandy Lake from Denton Tap to MacArthur. That concept
has low water requirements and has been approved by Council.
I would be happy to meet with you to go over the plans for Sandy Lake at your convenience. Just contact me at
the phone number or email address below.
Again, thank you for your interest in the construction of Sandy Lake Road.
Ken Griffin, P. E.
Director of Engineering/Public Works
972-304-3686
kg riffin@ci.coppell,tx,LJs
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Good afternoon,
I appreciate the widening of Sandy Lake. Let's hope it doesn't confuse people further at 121.
There are tens of full grown trees along Sandy Lake Blvd, between Denton Tap and Highway 121, that are going
to be destroyed due to widening of the road. There are several trees on the south side of Sandy Lake, across
from Albertson's with orange ribbons. I assume these will be destroyed as well. Will they be dug up and
replanted elsewhere?
Are these trees to be replaced with similar trees (i.e. same size and species)? Is Coppell replanting the area?
Is the construction company replanting the area?
Thanks,
Howard Sacks
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