2019-023 Landfill Landscape Buffer and Tree PlantingDate: February 8, 2019 Report No. 2019-023
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Update on landfill landscape buffer and tree planting
BACKGROUND:
In solid waste operations, buffer zones are typically utilized to restrict residential or commercial
use of property within a certain distance of waste disposal activity. For the Solid Waste
Department’s waste disposal operation, the buffer is 115 feet wide and runs parallel along
Mayhill Road from Edwards Road to Foster Road. An additional 100 foot wide buffer runs along
Edwards Road. The Solid Waste department’s buffer zone includes landscaping and other
screening to separate and screen operational activities from adjacent properties.
The standards for maintaining the buffer zone are outlined within Solid Waste’s Specific Use
Permit S-204. The permit requires “sufficient landscaping and screening to ensure harmony and
compatibility with adjacent property.” Following the TCEQ’s approval of Permit No. MSW
1590-A in 1999, the Solid Waste department installed an appropriate landscape buffer; however,
portions of the vegetation died in the years that followed. Staff plans to remediate 100% of
previous onsite tree loss (approximately 560 trees) and implement infrastructure necessary to
ensure the health new plantings and existing trees.
Last year, staff partnered with Freese & Nichols to redesign the landscape buffer and irrigation
system. The purpose of that effort was to create a design that remediates recent tree loss while
working around obstructions related to existing utility infrastructure, a future DME transmission
project, and Mayhill Road realignment. On October 16, 2018, the City Council approved a
contract with Fannin Tree Farm Sales, LLC to supply and install trees for the Solid Waste
Department’s landscape buffer.
Updates on the project schedule are detailed below.
TREE PLANTING SCHEDULE:
Work on the landscape buffer is occurring in phases because landscape design and tree planting
is being attempted while several construction projects are occurring in the area.
Phase 1– Located between the westernmost inactive landfill cell and the recently
installed screening wall, Solid Waste and Fannin recently completed installation of 159
canopy and understory trees (see images below). An additional 18 trees will be planted as
Date: February 8, 2019 Report No. 2019-023
weather permits. Design of the irrigation system is complete, and staff is working on a
solicitation for purchase and installation of the system.
Phase 2 – Located in the eastern public way approximately along Mayhill Road, from
approximately Foster Rd. to Old Edwards Rd., Solid Waste is anticipating the installation
39 canopy trees and 144 understory trees and plants. Mobilization and installation of trees
and irrigation will occur upon the completion of the Mayhill Road realignment and the
installation of transmission lines associated with a DME capital project.
Phase 3 – Located in the public way adjacent to reconstructed Mayhill Rd. South of Old
Edwards Rd. Once the final alignment and design of Mayhill Rd. south of Old Edwards
Rd. is complete, landscape design will proceed, and installation will commence as road
construction is completed.
Please feel free to contact me if you have additional questions or concerns.
STAFF CONTACT(S):
Ethan Cox, Director of Solid Waste
(940) 349-7421
Ethan.Cox@cityofdenton.com