STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Economic Development
AGENDA DATE: May 10, 2023
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): 6
DEPARTMENT: Development Services
EXECUTIVE: Majed Al-Ghafry
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SUBJECT
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A resolution designating the West Dallas Gateway Pecan tree as a historic tree, as required by Section 51A-10.133 of Article X in the Dallas Development Code, and to classify the 41 ½ inch diameter pecan tree at the southeast corner of North Beckley Avenue and West Commerce Street with historic tree status - HT22-0007- Financing: No cost consideration to the City
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BACKGROUND
The 2018 code amendments to the Article X tree conservation ordinance established a historic tree classification to be granted only by a resolution of the City Council for recognizing a tree, or grove of trees, as having cultural or historical significance to the citizens of the City of Dallas.
Section 51A-10.133 for historic trees provides the following:
(a) The owner of the property must agree to have a tree designated as historic before the historic designation can be approved by city council;
(b) Historic status lasts for the life of the tree;
(c) A certified copy of the resolution declaring a tree historic must be filed in the deed records of the county where the historic tree is located; and
(d) Except as provided in Section 51A-10.140, the defenses to prosecution, historic trees may only be removed by authorization of the city council.
A historic tree nomination form application was submitted by the Texas Historic Tree Coalition Board of Trustees on October 24, 2022 to nominate the 41 ½ inch diameter pecan (Carya illinoinensis) located on public property for historic classification.
The tree survives on public property managed by the Department of Public Works alongside Beckley Avenue and adjacent to a pedestrian pathway. On January 26, 2023, the director provided confirmation of the review and approval of the historic tree nomination.
The pecan tree is estimated to be between 175 and 200 years old, essentially witnessing the passing of travelers and the settlement and growth of the City of Dallas from its location adjacent to a trail and a continually modernized roadway and surviving the transformation of the Trinity River a century ago.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On June 27, 2018, the City Council held a public hearing to receive comments regarding consideration of amendments to Chapter 51A of the Dallas Development Code, Article X the Landscape and Tree Preservation regulations and authorized amendments to Article X amending Section 51A-10.133 to amend the reserved section to include standards for the application and conditions of the historic tree classification by Resolution No. 18-0977 and Ordinance No. 30929.
FISCAL INFORMATION
No cost consideration to the City.