Title
Consider and take action on a resolution authorizing the removal and mitigation of significant trees exceeding the Director of Planning’s administrative approval authority for property located at 1625 East Main Street to facilitate the construction of an office headquarters for Reconn Construction Services (Director of Planning)
Background:
Per Article 7 of the Unified Development Code, City Council action is required to remove more than 10% of the significant trees on a commercial property.
August 28, 2025 - Met with Reconn Construction Services to discuss construction of an office at the subject property.
March 4, 2026 - Reconn Construction Services submitted a building permit for construction an office at the subject property.
April 8, 2026 - Reconn Construction Services requested relief from the tree ordinance requirements related to significant tree removal.
May 28, 2026 - League City received a tree mitigation plan and scheduled the item for council consideration.
June 23, 2026 - City Council is scheduled to consider the request.
Article 7 of the Unified Development Code regulates the removal of protected and significant trees within the City. Under the UDC, a significant tree is defined as any Oak or Pecan tree with a caliper measurement exceeding 38 inches. The Director of Planning is authorized to approve the removal of only one significant tree administratively. Requests exceeding that threshold require City Council authorization.
Under Article 7 of the Unified Development Code, City Council approval is required for requests involving removal of significant trees exceeding the Planning Director's administrative authority. The applicant is requesting authorization to mitigate for eight significant trees, representing approximately 73% of the total significant-tree caliper inches on the site. In evaluating the request, City Council may consider factors such as site constraints, the extent of tree preservation proposed, the mitigation being provided, redevelopment objectives, and the potential public benefits associated with the project.
Project Summary:
The applicant is proposing redevelopment of an existing abandoned commercial property located along Main Street with a new corporate headquarters office for Reconn Construction Services. The proposed development includes construction of a new office building, associated parking, landscaping, drainage improvements, and preservation areas for remaining significant trees. The project is intended to revitalize a currently vacant and deteriorated site along one of the City’s primary commercial corridors.
The subject site contains 11 significant trees. Under Article 7 of the UDC, the Director of Planning may only authorize removal of one significant tree administratively. Because the proposed development requires mitigation associated with additional significant trees, City Council authorization is required. The applicant is requesting mitigation for eight of the significant trees located on-site. One of these trees is proposed to remain; however, because improvements and grading activities are proposed within the drip line of the tree, mitigation is required due to the potential for loss or long-term damage to the tree. This preserved tree is the largest tree on the site at approximately 60 caliper inches.
In addition to the preserved 60-inch tree, the applicant is preserving three additional significant trees on the eastern portion of the property adjacent to the proposed detention and open space area. As shown on the landscape and tree mitigation exhibits, the development has been designed to retain the largest concentration of existing significant trees feasible while still allowing redevelopment of the site. The tree mitigation exhibit indicates approximately 136 caliper inches of significant trees are proposed to be preserved on-site, while approximately 373 caliper inches of significant trees are proposed for mitigation and removal. The mitigation plan also identifies additional preserved protected trees throughout the site. The total mitigation cost identified within the tree mitigation exhibit is approximately $127,230.
Due to the size and configuration of the property, the site cannot be developed in any meaningful fashion without removal of a portion of the protected and significant trees. Existing tree locations substantially constrain placement of buildings, parking areas, stormwater facilities, and access circulation necessary to support redevelopment of the property. The applicant has revised the layout to preserve the largest and most viable trees where feasible.
The proposed Reconn Office HQ would provide economic development benefits by bringing a new corporate office investment to the Main Street corridor and returning a long-vacant property to productive use. Currently, Reconn Construction Services is located in League City on Egret Bay Boulevard and has outgrown their existing office building. Reconn performs infrastructure-related services associated with utility locating, damage prevention, and related field operations that support regional utility and construction activities. Establishment of the company’s headquarters at this location would introduce new office employment opportunities, private investment, and additional activity along the corridor.
Redevelopment of the property is expected to improve the visual character of the corridor through new landscaping, modern site improvements, and removal of an abandoned and underutilized site condition. Without authorization for the requested tree mitigation, the applicant has indicated the headquarters project would not be feasible at this location.
Attachments:
1. Proposed Resolution
2. Tree Mitigation Plan and Applicant Exhibits
CONTRACT ORIGINATION:
Planning Department
Applicant: Sarah Kotnik, Greenleaf Landscape Architecture
FUNDING
{X} NOT APPLICABLE
STRATEGIC PLANNING
{X} Addresses Strategic Planning Critical Success Factor #7 (Economic Development and Tourism)