Homebuilder facing $1.5M fine for clearing too many trees from forest for development
Fort Worth -- In one of the most egregious violations of Fort Worth's tree preservation ordinance since it was enacted in 2009, Arlington-based D.R. Horton, the nation’s largest homebuilder, faces a nearly $1.5 million fine for clearing out more trees in a 51.5-acre forest in east Fort Worth than it was supposed to.
Horton is building a 219-home development at Randol Mill Road just north of John T. White Boulevard called Trinity Oaks. According to its website, the development will feature its Express brand, homes targeted to first-time buyers. Crews are working at the site, but home construction can't begin until this case is resolved.
The company is asking the city's Urban Design Commission to forgive it for what officials said was a contractor's mistake. Horton is asking for a waiver to retain less than the required 25 percent of existing canopy. The site started with 90 percent canopy coverage, now down to 20.7 percent.
D.R. Horton issued a statement Thursday saying they "regret the miscommunication that resulted in the removal of excess trees in the Trinity Oaks development, and we are committed to working with the city to rectify the situation."
Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/fort-worth/article200045594.html
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