Cypress Gives City Staff Authority Over Local Historic Trees

Historic trees need protection but not continual oversight by the City Council, council members decided Monday night.

By unanimous vote, the council approved an ordinance change that will allow city staff, rather than the City Council, to hear permit requests regarding the city’s “landmark trees.” Such trees are those designated by the city as being old and historic.

City government keeps a listing and map of the unusual trees. Also, city law forbids the cutting or removal of such trees without a city permit approved by the Planning Commission. That is where the problem came in.

Cypress at one time had a separate Planning Commission. But now the City Council also functions as the city’s planners. Therefore all tree permits, under current law, must go before the City Council for a vote.

Planning Director Chris Kelly on Tuesday night noted that the City Council had asked for relief from hearing minor matters affecting the landmark trees. “You said you didn’t want to hear when a landmark tree is being pruned,” Kelly said. She said the proposed ordinance change would allow city staff to decide most tree-related matters, while still allowing appeals of the decisions to go before the City Council.

Councilman Tom Carroll added additional language to the tree ordinance. His change will require that notices be placed on landmark trees scheduled to be cut down. Carroll said these notices will alert residents who may want to protest and save the trees.