A VIEW FROM THE COUNCIL TABLE
Woodcreek City Council
Editor’s Note: The views expressed by the writer are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of the city they serve.
We all mourn the trees recently clear cut to make way for a new senior housing facility on RR12. Precisely why both Wimberley and Woodcreek began working on tree protection ordinances. For all the political differences in our Valley, I rarely find a citizen who isn’t willing to fight for the natural beauty that drew most of here. Frankly, the idea our City would fine someone $500 to feed a deer but wouldn’t endeavor to protect large trees is somewhat baffling to me.
To be clear, the proposed ordinance in Woodcreek would protect specific hardwood trees over a certain size. Additionally, these protections would be in place for new development requiring a site plan (not single-family homes.) Our ordinances already fine citizens $1,000 for failing to get a tree trimming permit or failure to remove a diseased tree. Is it really a big deal to ask developers to protect trees and fine them if they do not?
And then finally, an argument posed that citizens would spend $2,000 to remediate a tree affected by oak wilt is ill conceived. Every neighbor I’ve spoken with has been quoted (or spent) about $400 for a tree threatened by oak wilt. I’d spend three times that amount to protect a 100-year-old oak; I’d get that back in property value increase and breathable air! So, could a citizen spend money to save a tree and then spend more money to remove it, if it was diseased? Yes. But they always would have, so what is changing?
Our tree ordinance as presented in June has immense support. It was tabled so another ordinance for oak wilt could be folded into it, thus saving our City money in codification fees. One thing I do agree with however, is that everyone should remain informed. Recently, your Council fought the Ordinance Committee who wanted to limit your right to have dogs (they thought 3 was enough) or keep ferrets (calling them “exotic” pets.) Don’t believe everything you hear. Listen to the meeting recordings and read the packets before Council meetings.