Dallas BA Weighs in on Denton Urban Forest Plan
The Denton City Council has recently begun consideration for updates to the city’s urban forest master plan. The plan can influence future ordinances, as well has how any reforestation funds are spent. The Dallas Builders Association has now weighed in for a second time. We first offered input during a survey of stakeholders last year and most recently with members of the city council.
Dallas BA stressed to the city council the importance of a balanced approach that avoids any negative impact on property owners and future home buyers, while also fully recognizing the significant contribution residential development has on the city’s canopy and tree stock. The 2016 Denton State of the Urban Forest report cited that the single-family residential land use class had the highest level of individual canopy coverage for the city. In fact, the report pointed out that growth and development of, what was previously agricultural land, significantly increased canopy cover.
As Texas is still discovering the full duration and magnitude of the economic impact from COVID-19, it is important that municipalities and counties keep in mind the impact that any current or future regulation can have on the ability for working families to attain a home.