working together
for neighborhood preservation

Tree Preservation Meetings Press Release

Public Information Office
215 E McKinney, Denton, Texas 76201

August 5, 2003

John Cabrales Jr. Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(940) 349-8509 Office
(940) 349-7444 Fax
E-mail: john.cabrales@cityofdenton.com

Tree Preservation Meetings

Denton, TX ­ The Tree Preservation sub-committee of the Planning and Zoning Commission is holding special public meetings to discuss the drafting of a tree preservation ordinance. The sub-committee is seeking public comment at the following meetings:

August 14, 2003
Community Values on Tree Preservation, Development and Property Rights
5:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
Central Fire Station Community Training Room, 332 East Hickory

September 11, 2003
Rough Draft Ordinance Outline
5:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
North Lakes Recreation Center, Room B, 2001 West Windsor

The first meeting was held on July 31 and about 55 people attended. There was a positive and collaborative tone set among participants, which included members of the Denton Neighborhood Alliance, the Chamber of Commerce, developers and residents.

" I thought the workshop on tree preservation was very productive. I was especially pleased to hear terms such as "balanced" and "incentives for preservation." I don't know anyone that doesn't love trees, and the spirit of cooperation is encouraging" stated Chuck Carpenter, President of the Denton Chamber of Commerce.

Bob Estes, homeowner, stated " I have been around a while and been through these meetings and seen previous ordinances and the hard work that went into it. The nice thing I'm hearing tonight from all of you is this cooperative effort in a positive manner."

Darlene Mullenweg spoke on behalf of the Denton Neighborhood Alliance. " The Denton Neighborhood Alliance was formed to create, maintain and support neighborhood groups or associations for the betterment of Denton. One of our main objectives is to serve as a voice for neighborhoods at the city level on issues like tree prevention that affect us all. It is our hope that DNA will be the vehicle to elevate neighborhoods by partnering with the City and area businesses through effective communication and co-operation rather than with heretofore contentiousness." On June 19, 2003, at the regular DNA meeting, a committee of 12 was formed to look at issues of tree preservation in Denton because the neighborhood group wants to be proactive and help the sub-committee already working on a tree ordinance. " We want to emphasize that our entire group started out with cohesiveness. We do not have an "Us vs. Them" mentatity. We are reasonable people and we know that the city is growing and trees are going to have to be taken down. However, we are also of a mindset that it does not have to be an either/or situation. We believe we can have a both/and situation if we work together. We want to work with the City and the business community creating a quality of life second to none and envied by outsiders" stated Ms.Mullenweg. The Denton Neighborhood Alliance web site is http://dentonneighborhoods.org.

For more information, contact Nona Elaine Muncie in the Planning and Development Department, at (940) 349-8350 or e-mail: nona.muncie@cityofdenton.com

Denton Neighborhood Alliance - August 30, 2003