Title
Consider/Discuss the City Reforestation Plan
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Direction for Strategic and Economic Growth
(1C: Provide a strong city economy by facilitating a balance between industrial, commercial, residential and open space)
MEETING DATE: August 18, 2026
DEPARTMENT: Development Services - Planning Department
CONTACT: Lucas Raley, AICP, CNU-A, CFM, Director of Planning
Caitlyn Strickland, AICP, Planning Manager
Hunter Worthy, ISA, Urban Forester
ITEM SUMMARY: The Planning Department has prepared an updated Reforestation Plan to govern the administration, allocation, and strategic deployment of the City's Reforestation Fund. Authorized under Section 407 of the Unified Development Code (UDC), this updated plan modernizes administrative oversight, establishes three distinct programmatic initiatives, and introduces clear guidelines for tree replacement, including a structured program for trees impacted by City-led Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects.
The Reforestation Plan has not been updated since 2008, when it was originally adopted by City Council. This update to the plan ensures that developer-funded mitigation payments are managed with high accountability, transparent reporting, and provide the maximum positive impact on McKinney's urban canopy.
BACKGROUND: Under Section 405G ("Tree Replacement Payment") of the McKinney UDC, development projects which do not meet the tree mitigation requirements on-site are required to make a payment into the City's Reforestation Fund. Section 407 ("Tree Reforestation Fund") mandates that these funds be expended in accordance with the City's Reforestation Plan adopted by the City Council.
The Reforestation Plan serves as the strategic framework for these expenditures, ensuring the urban canopy is both sustained and expanded in tandem with McKinney's rapid growth. The proposed update presented here replaces the previous version of the plan from 2008 to offer clearer definitions, stronger inter-de...
Click here for full text