Free tree giveaway announced for Arbor Day
FAIR OAKS RANCH — Discussion about what role the city should play in driveways passing through drainage channels hit a roadblock during a recent City Council session.
Much of the Oct. 16 meeting involved debate about amendments to a city ordinance regarding the driveways, including a proposed $5,000 fee to be paid by residents to cover an engineering survey and a design plan, on top of regular permits.
Councilman Jonathan Swarek likened the proposed fee to an extra levy.
“It feels like I’m imposing a tax on people,” Swarek said, suggesting the council work with Lee Muniz, the city’s engineering manager, and the city attorney to rethink the proposal.
Council members Emily Stroup and Ruben Olvera echoed his sentiments, and the members on the dais decided to table the matter for future consideration.
In other business, the council also considered a free-tree giveaway, a proclamation for Municipal Court Week, approval for amendments to the Unified Development Code, reducing the maximum speed limit on Rolling Acres Trail to 30 mph and approved amending the city’s financial management policy.
Meanwhile, during consideration of the changes to the driveway rules, Muniz said the ordinance adopted in 2005 is inconsistent with the unified code, the permitting process and other current requirements.
The revisions would be applied to all driveway constructions on uncurbed streets, he added.
City Manager Scott Huizenga added the 2005 rules leave the city with the responsibility and liability of out-of-ordinance driveways.
“The primary impetus was to get the city out of the business of designing driveways,” Huizenga said.
Muniz said the proposal would also help control erosion and maintain water management.
The tabled proposal would have:
• Required a separate permit for all new or expanded driveways that connect to non-curbed streets.
• Required applicants to submit pre- and post-construction topographic surveys to demonstrate that positive drainage is maintained.
• Require applicants to submit signed and sealed drainage reports and construction plans prepared by a registered professional engineer when a culvert is included in the driveway design.
• Specify the Public Works Department’s role is to review and approve the plans.
Some of the council still questioned the initiative.
“We are already in the business (of designing),” Swarek said. “We control the pitch and elevation – we pick that. We mandate that. It’s hard to get out of the business of drainage.”
Huizenga disagreed, adding the city inspects them.
After the proposal was sent back to city staff, the meeting moved on to Project Manager Kelsey Delgado, who shared with the council the plan for a “free-tree giveaway” for residents.
The city’s elected leaders unanimously approved the idea, with 109 trees available for residents on Nov. 7 in recognition of Arbor Day. Delgado said it is first-come, first-served.
She also discussed removal of three heritage and nine protected trees in the existing sewer easement at the Fair Oaks Ranch Golf and Country Club for the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Plant 5 Ground Storage Tank projects.
The cost is $5,000, which officials said is relatively low.
In other business, Assistant City Manager Jim Williams said the city is on a search for a consultant who would focus on community engagement, develop sustainment procedures, provide the council with two work sessions and facilitate town-hall style meetings for public feedback.
The goal is to make a hire by December to begin work in the new year.
In addition, Director of Finance Summer Fleming said the Fiscal Year 20252026 budget can be viewed in brief www.fairoaksranchtx. org/142/Budget.
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