Forward Dallas Environment Element

Environment Element

The natural environment—trees, waterways, natural areas

and open space—give city residents a way to escape from

their urban surroundings, even if it’s just by glimpsing

a greenbelt while traveling to work. Connecting with nature

is important for health, too. Studies show patients heal faster,

children learn better, the din of urban life becomes softer, the brutal

summer heat lessens and air quality improves when cities embrace

and connect with a healthy outdoor environment.

Protecting Dallas’ natural environment is linked to policies

throughout other elements of forwardDallas! The Transportation

Element promotes alternatives to car travel which improves air

quality and thereby reduces the need for pavement and impervious

cover in the city. Land use policies encourage more compact

and pedestrian-friendly development resulting in less land

being used for homes and work places, freeing up acreage for

wildlife and recreation. By fostering alternative forms of growth,

forwardDallas! policies improve and protect the city’s natural

environment.

Floodplains and Riparian Areas

More than 360 miles of streams run through the city.

Unfortunately, most of these now flow through pipes. Nevertheless,

many miles of streams remain relatively untouched by the effects

of development. The 100-year floodplains of the Trinity River

and other streams cover 33,672 acres. Of these, about 7,415 acres

of floodplains have been developed. The levee system along

the Trinity has changed the shape of this floodplain to protect

developed land. More than 10,000 acres of the city’s floodplain,

however, is vacant and should be protected from development

through acquisition, restoration and dedication of open space. As

was made painfully clear along the Gulf Coast during the 2005

hurricane season, the loss of floodplains and other natural recharge

areas not only negatively impacts water and air quality, it fails to

minimize damage during floods. In addition to flood stabilization,

reclaiming and restoring these areas would provide sites for

recreation, wildlife habitat and buffers for riparian areas while

improving water quality and lowering the heat island effect.

Air Quality

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The Urban Environment

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Trinity River Corridor

The Trinity River, having long been levied and rerouted, in the

past was viewed as an obstacle to growth and development. Now,

however, residents see the Trinity River as an unparalleled asset

to create a sense of place and identity for the city. Harnessing the

natural beauty of the Trinity River includes orienting development,

such as condominiums, to the waterfront to capitalize on river

views. Lining the riverbanks with trails for recreational use and

travel can be accomplished, while at the same time protecting and

restoring the river. The Trinity River Plans aim to boost economic

vitality by bringing dynamic mixed-use development to the

Trinity River Corridor to complement the remarkable architectural

design of the Calatrava bridges. In addition, the Renaissance Plan

provides a template for adding new trails and open space. The

city’s environmental health can be exponentially improved by

using this natural resource as a destination and scenic amenity,

restoring habitat in floodplain areas, preserving and enhancing

the Great Trinity Forest and other natural areas, and welcoming

visitors and residents to the river’s edge with trails.

GOALS, POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTATION

GOAL 6.1 PROTECT DALLAS WATER QUALITY AND WATERSHEDS

The City should provide for the protection of water quality,

preservation of the ecological function of watersheds, and

management of storm water to mitigate impacts of development.

Policy 6.1.1 Develop and implement storm water

management practices.

Develop and implement storm water management practices to

reduce harmful run-off, filter storm water on-site and provide

protection against erosion and other consequences of flooding.

6.1.1.1 Continue to work closely with the North Central Texas

Council of Governments (NCTCOG) to implement new

standards for Integrated Storm Water Quality Management

(ISWM).

6.1.1.2 Provide leadership to other governments within the region

in adopting new storm water standards that adequately

mitigate the potential impact of new development on

existing development, the storm water system and on the

natural environment.

6.1.1.3 Develop regulations and storm water management

standards for alternative methods of development that

retain natural site drainage and reduce impervious

(pavement) coverage. Standards will address storm water

quality treatment and storm water conveyance/detention.

Favor alternatives that support Goal 6.2. Natural Area

Protection.

6.1.1.4 Develop landscaping standards to appropriately manage

run-off created by impervious surfaces.

6.1.1.5 Establish standards to limit the amount of impervious

surface that can result from development activity, as part of

a comprehensive storm water management strategy. Such

standards should consider the possible different conditions

in new development, as well as denser more urban

redevelopment areas.

6.1.1.6 Promote alternative storm water management techniques

such as grassy swales, biofilters, eco-roofs, green streets,

pervious pavement and other more natural methods.

6.1.1.7 Consider shared parking and other parking reduction

strategies to minimize unnecessary paved areas.

6.1.1.8 Develop alternative street designs and standards which

allow for narrower streets and associated infrastructure,

resulting in less pavement.

6.1.1.9 Develop alternative street designs and standards that allow

for greater filtration and more appropriate storm water

conveyance.

Policy 6.1.2 Mitigate non-point pollution.

GOAL 6.2 PRESERVE AND INCREASE TREE CANOPY

By maintaining and improving the tree canopy and the quality of

the urban forest within developed and developing areas, the city

will benefit from the additional shade, which will mitigate the

urban heat island effect and keep drainages cool. This will also

create more walkable/livable neighborhoods and preserve and

enhance wildlife within developed areas.

Policy 6.2.1 Establish a tree canopy coverage enhancement program.

IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES

6.2.1.1 Develop an Urban Forestry Master Plan to guide overall

management and preservation of tree canopy throughout

the city. This plan will include a Street Tree Master

Plan to guide planting trees during development and

redevelopment and to designate appropriate trees for

plantings along major roads and corridors.

The Street Tree Master Plan will include:

• Preparing a methodology to implement the Street Tree

Master Plan.

• Identifying and recommending standards for public

streets, planting strip width and design, etc.

• Identifying potential funding including utility bill

surcharges for planting, initial maintenance, sidewalk

repair and replacement by City crews.

• Identifying potential funding needed to replace

damaged, dying or removed trees

• Evaluating compliance with the Street Tree Master

Plan.

• Defining the level of development or redevelopment

that would trigger compliance with the plan.

6.2.1.2 Determine Dallas’s baseline tree canopy coverage and

establish a monitoring program to be updated regularly.

6.2.1.3 Set annual targets for increasing the tree canopy coverage in concert with population and development density

increases.

6.2.1.4 Develop additional regulatory tools to preserve tree canopy based on an analysis of the existing tree canopy and

identification of priority areas.

6.2.15 Implement tree planting requirements for new

developments, including parking lots and building setback

areas.

GOAL 6.3 IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND AIR QUALITY

The City should strive to reduce non-renewable energy resource

consumption and improve Dallas’ air quality.

Policy 6.3.1 Promote green building practices.

Policy 6.3.2 Institute transportation demand management.

Policy 6.3.3 Limit vehicle miles traveled.

Policy 6.3.4 Promote alternative energy and reduce consumption.

Dallas Urban Heat Island Study - HARC

GOAL 6.4 IDENTIFY, PROTECT AND RESTORE OPEN SPACE

By identifying, protecting and restoring open spaces, natural areas

and ecologically sensitive areas, the City can achieve the following:

• Conserve and improve storm water conveyance and flood

control functions of wetlands, riparian areas and floodplains.

• Prevent erosion and protect slopes.

• Improve water quality within natural water bodies and

drainages.

• Preserve and restore habitat for all species, especially

endangered and sensitive species.

• Preserve beautiful vistas and access to the natural features of

Dallas.

Policy 6.4.1 Identify and prioritize ecologically sensitive areas.

Ecologically sensitive areas including riparian corridors, waterways,

upland habitat, treed areas and other sensitive areas bordering

riparian zones, should be surveyed, inventoried and mapped, with

special attention given to the following:

• obtain comprehensive information in order to prioritize

programs that would protect key resources.

• Preserve floodplain areas for storm water conveyance.

• Retain habitat for all species, particularly environmentally

sensitive and endangered species.

• Protect riparian areas and wildlife corridors.

• Recognize the fragility of the escarpment.

• Identify key natural features including:

• The Great Trinity Forest

• The Mountain Creek Escarpment

• White Rock Lake

• Major creeks including Turtle Creek, White Rock Creek

and Five Mile Creek

IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES

6.4.1.1 Update and/or create maps to clearly delineate the

boundaries of sensitive areas and floodplains. Identify and

map areas of citywide and potential citywide significance to

minimize conflicts with development.

6.4.1.2 Establish a system of designating specific areas as

ecologically sensitive areas worthy of protection.

Particularly in riparian areas, establish standardized buffer

widths based on resource type and adjacent topography.

For riparian areas, buffer widths will be based on water

quality function and wildlife habitat needs. Establishing

standardized buffers may require that precise boundaries

be delineated prior to environmental review for new

development, particularly in riparian areas. Also identify

key public landmarks and scenic views.

6.4.1.3 Evaluate connectivity between open spaces and

natural areas.

6.4.1.4 Require environmental review of projects occurring within

ecologically sensitive areas, with a priority on floodplains,

riparian areas and areas with slopes exceeding 12 percent.

6.4.1.5 Through a confidential “willing-seller” program, assess

properties that are vacant or otherwise available for public

acquisition or purchase to be established as public open

space, particularly those within the designated escarpment

buffer zone, riparian areas and floodplain. Special

attention and priority will be given to those areas with low

economic value unsuitable for development. In addition,

the responsibility of managing newly acquired lands, the

potential for restoration of these lands, and potential and

need for public access will be evaluated The multiple

values of open space for wildlife habitat, recreation and

trails, storm water conveyance, and protection of scenic

views will be evaluated comprehensively.

Policy 6.4.2 Protect open space.

Strategies should protect the ecological, scientific and scenic

values of land designated as ecologically sensitive. This would

include developing a comprehensive strategy and establishing

tools such as greenbelts, open space zoning, conservation

easements and density transfers to restrict urban development in

environmentally sensitive areas.

IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES

6.4.2.1 Evaluate the potential effectiveness of methods to regulate

development in environmentally sensitive areas to prevent

incompatible development and to preserve the ecology.

Land adjacent to riparian corridors and floodplains will get

special attention.

6.4.2.2 Restrict development within the floodplain. Where

alternatives are not feasible, require balanced cut and fill

to prevent loss of flood storage capacity and appropriate

mitigation to prevent loss of ecological values.

6.4.2.3 Establish buffer zones and protection areas around key

ecologically sensitive areas to prevent future development

within those boundaries except for recreational facilities.

This includes the escarpment and significant riparian

areas. Appropriate restrictions and setbacks will be used.

Potentially detrimental activities, such as clear-cutting and

standard development and construction practices, will not

be allowed.

6.4.2.4 Create new cluster development regulations tailored to

protect specific types of environmentally sensitive areas.

These developments must be compatible with adjacent

neighborhoods and minimize the loss of the property’s

development capacity. Develop compensation programs

and zoning regulations to allow the transfer of development

capacity from constrained to unconstrained portions of

tracts. Other compensatory measures, such as easement

purchasing programs, should also be considered.

6.4.2.5 With the escarpment as a priority, establish zoning

measures to allow transfer of development rights from

environmentally constrained areas to unconstrained areas

outside the escarpment.

6.4.2.6 Prohibit the practice of under-grounding streams, except

where alternatives are not feasible. Limit the use of

culverts. Where drainages must be placed in a culvert,

require alternative designs that minimize impacts to stream

health.

6.4.2.7 In conjunction with the Parks and Recreation Department,

undertake a study of open space needs, acquisition and/or

dedication of land, payment into dedicated open space

fund, as well as other mechanisms for providing open

spaces. Explore a full range of funding and acquisition

alternatives. Update the Renaissance Plan concurrently

with forwardDallas! updates so park and open space needs

are identified and funding for parks and open space is

included in capital budget planning.

Policy 6.4.3 Acquire natural areas.

In order to meet the demands of a growing population, the City

should acquire priority areas for preservation.

6.4.3.1 Establish deed, transfer of ownership, and other acquisition

programsfor the purpose of acquiring property that has

been identified for potential acquisition.

6.4.3.2 Acquire land within floodplains and riparian corridors,

particularly those with low economic value, and restore

this land as a natural area or preserve it for open space or

recreational purposes.

Policy 6.4.4 Restore and manage sensitive areas.

Restoring and managing ecologically sensitive areas will include

planting, managing and replanting native or climate tolerant

vegetation.

6.4.4.1 Focus resources on educating City employees and Dallas

residents about the value of and proper techniques for

restoring and maintaining natural areas and backyard

habitats.

6.4.4.2 Promote wise use of irrigation and climate appropriate

landscaping and vegetation.

6.4.4.3 Develop requirements for landscape restoration with

native plants from regional seed stocks on ecologically

sensitive sites disturbed by urban development. Within

the escarpment area, those sites suffering from erosion, or

vulnerable to erosion should be included. [ex.: Grady Niblo]

6.4.4.4 Promote public and private efforts to restore degraded

natural habitat areas.

6.4.4.5 Restore and/or promote the restoration of waterways,

floodplains and riparian corridors, particularly in areas

identified as ecologically sensitive.

6.4.4.6 Promote the practice of day-lighting streams and tributaries

in order to restore their natural function.

6.4.4.7 Develop a comprehensive citywide program to landscape

public properties with native plants or climate tolerant

vegetation that provides wildlife habitat. In particular, focus

on City-owned parks and natural areas as well as large

campuses with significant open space. Remove non-native

species that threaten overall habitat quality and replace with

native species or climate tolerant vegetation.

6.4.4.8 Minimize development of natural areas on public lands and

manage these areas to protect habitat integrity.

GOAL 6.5 PROVIDE ACCESS TO PARKS, OPEN SPACES

AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Policy 6.5.1 Update the parks master plan.

The Renaissance Parks Plan should be regularly updated for a 20-

to 30-year time span. The update should incorporate the needs of

future residents as outlined in the forwardDallas!vision and in key

Area Plans, such as the Trinity River Corridor Plan and Downtown

Parks Master Plan. The update should showcase premier parks as

regional amenities and pay special recognition to the basic goals of

sustainability and walkability.

6.5.1.1 In the Renaissance Plan, advocate the use of more

comfortable, shady and engaging built environments

embodied in the forwardDallas! Vision.

6.5.1.2 Establish an acquisition program to maintain or improve

the amount of designated open space per capita as the city’s

population increases. Ensure that adequate open space

is provided with all development. Devise an equitable

strategy for increasing dedicated open space, especially

in park deficient areas. This may include incentives for

dedication of trails or parks. When possible, neighborhood

parks or “pocket parks” constructed in conjunction with

infill or redevelopment should remain privately owned

or be maintained privately. Programs should recognize

the cost of maintaining these parks and, where possible,

use incentives such as density bonuses to offset costs in

publicly accessible parks.

6.5.1.3 Provide adequate resources for recreational programming

and parks maintenance as outlined in the parks master plan.

6.5.1.4 Promote the restoration of degraded areas and the use

of native plants and climate tolerant vegetation in parks,

riparian corridors and other natural areas consistent with

the Renaissance Plan.

6.5.1.5 Cooperate with conservation organizations and others

to promote public accessibility of privately owned open

spaces.

Policy 6.5.2 Implement the citywide trails master plan.

The trails network master plan must be regularly updated with

emphasis on the Trinity River Corridor. The goal is to provide an

interconnected system of trails within public lands and natural

areas, and to provide alter native connections throughout the city

and region for pedestrians and bicyclists.

IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES

6.5.2.1 To facilitate bicycling and walking as means of

transportation and to provide opportunities for recreation

within and appreciation of natural areas, provide an

interconnected system of multi-use trails for biking,

walking and hiking, with handicap access where

appropriate. Trails should meet national standards

addressing appropriate trail width, elevation and surface

materials.

6.5.2.2 Work closely with other jurisdictions and the North Central

Texas Council of Governments to provide a regional

system of trails, continually seeking to connect Dallas trails

with those in bordering jurisdictions and completing the

“veloweb” regional system of trails.

6.5.2.3 Inventory unimproved public rights-of-way citywide and

identify areas that could be used for trails and/or public

facilities.

6.5.2.4 Inventory existing trails and public access along the Trinity

River Corridor and identify opportunities to link existing

trails through new connections or by establishing new

trails.

6.5.2.5 Acquire first right-of-refusal and the option to buy in the

event of a decommissioned or abandoned rail line for the

purpose of establishing a rails-to-trails program.

6.5.2.6 Limit the environmental impacts of trails in natural areas

and open space by using environmentally responsible

building materials, paving to prevent erosion where

necessary, and locating new trails in areas that will

minimize the erosion and degradation of sensitive

environmental areas.

6.5.2.7 Establish and administer a Trinity River Corridor greenway

trail standard that defines the preferred width, elevation,

signage, surface materials and landscaping designated

for all sections of the corridor. Such standards will be

expanded or developed for other key trails.

6.5.2.8 Establish policies requiring that new development along the

Trinity River and other designated priority trails provide

public right-of-way and the construction of greenway trails

along their property line.

6.5.2.9 Inventory trail networks within the escarpment and seek

ways to build, extend or develop trails in order to provide

an interconnected trail system with the least possible

impact on the landscape.

GOAL 6.6 INCREASE RECYCLING AND CONSERVATION

OF RENEWABLE RESOURCES

Policy 6.6.1 Increase recycling and composting.

Policy 6.6.2 Design for recycling.

Policy 6.6.3 Handle hazardous waste correctly

The Vegetation Types of Texas